Int. J. Dev. Biol. 58: 51 - 56 (2014)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.140013hn

Vol 58, Issue 1

Xenopus cadherin 5 is specifically expressed in endothelial cells of the developing vascular system

Developmental Expression Pattern | Published: 30 April 2014

Herbert Neuhaus*, Sanjeeva Metikala and Thomas Hollemann

Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Halle (Saale), Germany

Abstract

Vasculogenesis is an important, multistep process leading to the formation of a functional primary network of blood vessels in the developing embryo. A series of interactions between secreted growth factors and their specific receptors leads to the specification of mesodermal cells to become hemangioblasts, which then differentiate into angioblasts. These subsequently proliferate, coalesce into cords and finally form tubular vascular structures. For proper function of these primary blood vessels, the close connection of endothelial cells is required. This is conferred by the interaction of an endothelium specific cadherin (Cadherin-5), starting during early vascular development. However, this interaction remains important throughout life and ageing. Therefore, cadherin-5 is a useful marker for late stages of vasculogenesis in several vertebrate species. To establish cadherin-5 as a marker for vascular studies in Xenopus, we cloned the Xenopus laevis ortholog and analyzed its expression pattern during embryogenesis.

Keywords

vasculogenesis, cadherin, early embryogenesis, ageing, paralogs