Fli+ etsrp+ hemato-vascular progenitor cells proliferate at the lateral plate mesoderm during vasculogenesis in zebrafish

PLoS One. 2011 Feb 25;6(2):e14732. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014732.

Abstract

Background: Vasculogenesis, the de novo formation of blood vessels from precursor cells is critical for a developing embryo. However, the signals and events that dictate the formation of primary axial vessels remain poorly understood.

Methodology/principal findings: In this study, we use ets-related protein-1 (etsrp), which is essential for vascular development, to analyze the early stages of vasculogenesis in zebrafish. We found etsrp(+) cells of the head, trunk and tail follow distinct developmental sequences. Using a combination of genetic, molecular and chemical approaches, we demonstrate that fli(+)etsrp(+) hemato-vascular progenitors (FEVPs) are proliferating at the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM). The Shh-VEGF-Notch-Hey2 signaling pathway controls the proliferation process, and experimental modulation of single components of this pathway alters etsrp(+) cell numbers at the LPM.

Conclusions/significance: This study for the first time defines factors controlling proliferation, and cell numbers of pre-migratory FEVPs in zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / embryology*
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Endothelium, Vascular / embryology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Head / embryology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Mesoderm / cytology*
  • Mesoderm / metabolism
  • Mesoderm / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1 / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1 / physiology
  • Tail / embryology
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / genetics
  • Zebrafish / metabolism
  • Zebrafish / physiology
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*
  • Zebrafish Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Etv2 protein, zebrafish
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
  • Zebrafish Proteins