Emerging mechanisms of vascular stabilization

J Thromb Haemost. 2009 Jul:7 Suppl 1:57-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03421.x.

Abstract

Neural guidance cues are essential for a growing axon to correctly course through the body and innervate target tissues. Interestingly, the vascular network follows a parallel trajectory along nerves, suggesting that guidance cues important for neural patterning may also be required for proper vascular patterning. However, while an axon arises from one cell, a blood vessel is composed of many endothelial cells. Recent evidence suggests that neural repulsive cues are usurped by multi-cellular blood vessels to ensure vascular stabilization cues. Additional clues into the signaling mechanisms that promote vascular stabilization are emerging from cerebral cavernous malformations, a disease characterized by headache, epilepsy, and stroke. Thus, neurobiology and neurology are providing insights into the concepts of vascular stability.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Blood Vessels / innervation*
  • Body Patterning / physiology
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology