10th Anniversary Special Issue of JDB—Advances in Developmental Blood Vessel Growth

A special issue of Journal of Developmental Biology (ISSN 2221-3759).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2024) | Viewed by 2279

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
Interests: angiogenesis; neural crest cell; hindbrain; retina; VEGF; neuropilin; semaphorin
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

New blood vessel growth occurs throughout vertebrate life, from the earliest stages of placentation and organ formation to the period of postnatal development, because all metabolically active cells require proximity to a blood capillary for oxygenation and nutrition, and often also for instructive signals. Blood vessel growth is therefore actively induced and regulated by organs in need of a vascular supply. Blood vessels also transport cytokines, hormones and immune cells to impact normal and abnormal development, and we now know that the various different cell types that constitute blood vessels also release signals to instruct and modulate organ growth and patterning. Vice versa, tissue mechanics and hemodynamic forces promote the remodelling and survival of functional vascular networks or instruct the structural adaptations of vessel walls. Understanding such key developmental processes holds much promise to identify new therapeutic strategies with the aim to prevent congenital vascular diseases, reverse abnormal vascular remodelling in adult disease or to stimulate functional new vessel growth in ischemic diseases.

Prof. Dr. Christiana Ruhrberg
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • blood vessel growth
  • angiogenesis
  • vasculogenesis
  • arteriogenesis
  • vascular remodelling

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 4801 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Angiogenic, Matrix Remodeling, and Antimicrobial Factors in Preterm and Full-Term Human Umbilical Cords
by Kaiva Zile Zarina and Mara Pilmane
J. Dev. Biol. 2024, 12(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb12020013 - 1 May 2024
Viewed by 1396
Abstract
Background: Little is known about morphogenetic changes in the umbilical cord during the maturation process. Extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, progenitor activity, and immunomodulation are represented by specific markers; therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), [...] Read more.
Background: Little is known about morphogenetic changes in the umbilical cord during the maturation process. Extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, progenitor activity, and immunomodulation are represented by specific markers; therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP2), CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and human β-defensin 2 (HBD2) in preterm and full-term human umbilical cord tissue. Methods: Samples of umbilical cord tissue were obtained from 17 patients and divided into two groups: very preterm and moderate preterm birth umbilical cords; late preterm birth and full-term birth umbilical cords. Routine histology examination was conducted. Marker-positive cells were detected using the immunohistochemistry method. The number of positive structures was counted semi-quantitatively using microscopy. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS Statistics 29 program. Results: Extraembryonic mesenchyme cells are the most active cell producers, expressing MMP2, TIMP2, VEGF, and HBD2 at notable levels in preterm and full-term umbilical cord tissue. Statistically significant differences in the expression of CD34, MMP2, and TIMP2 between the two patient groups were found. The expression of VEGF was similar in both patient groups, with the highest number of VEGF-positive cells seen in the extraembryonic mesenchyme. The expression of HBD2 was the highest in the extraembryonic mesenchyme and the amniotic epithelium, where mostly moderate numbers of HBD2-positive cells were detected. Conclusions: Extracellular matrix remodeling in preterm and term umbilical cords is strongly regulated, and tissue factors MMP2 and TIMP2 take part in this process. The expression of VEGF is not affected by the umbilical cord’s age; however, individual patient factors can affect the production of VEGF. Numerous CD34-positive cells in the endothelium of the umbilical arteries suggest a significant role of progenitor cells in very preterm and moderate preterm birth umbilical cords. Antimicrobial activity provided by HBD2 is essential and constant in preterm and full-term umbilical cords. Full article
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