Notch1 controls macrophage recruitment and Notch signaling is activated at sites of endothelial cell anastomosis during retinal angiogenesis in mice

Blood. 2011 Sep 22;118(12):3436-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-12-327015. Epub 2011 Jul 27.

Abstract

Notch is a critical regulator of angiogenesis, vascular differentiation, and vascular integrity. We investigated whether Notch signaling affects macrophage function during retinal angiogenesis in mice. Retinal macrophage recruitment and localization in mice with myeloid-specific loss of Notch1 was altered, as these macrophages failed to localize at the leading edge of the vascular plexus and at vascular branchpoints. Furthermore, these retinas were characterized by elongated endothelial cell sprouts that failed to anastomose with neighboring sprouts. Using Notch reporter mice, we demonstrate that retinal macrophages localize between Dll4-positive tip cells and at vascular branchpoints, and that these macrophages had activated Notch signaling. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Notch signaling in macrophages is important for their localization and interaction with endothelial cells during sprouting angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / growth & development
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Receptor, Notch1 / genetics
  • Receptor, Notch1 / metabolism*
  • Retina / anatomy & histology
  • Retina / growth & development
  • Retina / metabolism*
  • Retina / physiology
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Notch1 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, Notch1