Arteries are formed by vein-derived endothelial tip cells

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6758
• Publication Date: 2014-12-15T14:38:47Z
• Authors: Cong Xu; Sana S. Hasan; Inga Schmidt; Susana F. Rocha; Mara E. Pitulescu; Jeroen Bussmann; Dana Meyen; Erez Raz; Ralf H. Adams; Arndt F. Siekmann
• Keywords: Plexus; Vasculogenesis

Abstract Tissue vascularization entails the formation of a blood vessel plexus, which remodels into arteries and veins. Here we show, by using time-lapse imaging zebrafish fin regeneration genetic lineage tracing endothelial cells in mouse retina, that vein-derived tip contribute to emerging arteries. Our movies uncover arterial-fated change migration direction migrate backwards within expanding vascular plexus. This behaviour critically depends on chemokine receptor cxcr4a function. We show relevant Cxcr4a ligand Cxcl12a selectively accumulates newly forming bone tissue even when ubiquitously overexpressed, pointing towards tissue-intrinsic mode gradient formation. Furthermore, find mutant can developing association with wild-type cells, suggesting collective cells. Together, our findings reveal specific cell migratory behaviours plexus conserved artery