The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin is required for formation of the neurovascular interface of the pituitary.
The hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system (HNS) is the neurovascular structure through which the hypothalamic neuropeptides oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin exit the brain into the bloodstream, where they go on to affect peripheral physiology. Here, we investigate the molecular cues that regulate the neurovascular contact between hypothalamic axons and neurohypophyseal capillaries of the zebrafish. We developed a transgenic system in which both hypothalamic axons and neurohypophyseal vasculature can be analyzed in vivo. We identified the cellular organization of the zebrafish HNS as well as the dynamic processes that contribute to formation of the HNS neurovascular interface. We show that formation of this interface is regulated during development by local release of oxytocin, which affects endothelial morphogenesis. This cell communication process is essential for the establishment of a tight axovasal interface between the neurons and blood vessels of the HNS. We present a unique example of axons affecting endothelial morphogenesis through secretion of a neuropeptide.
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, P.O. Box 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Amos
A
Gutnick
Janna
J
Blechman
Jan
J
Kaslin
Lukas
L
Herwig
Heinz-Georg
HG
Belting
Markus
M
Affolter
Joshua L
JL
Bonkowsky
Gil
G
Levkowitz
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology
D010120:Oxytocics; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D010121:Oxytocin