Pathophysiologic Role of Molecules Determining Arteriovenous Differentiation in Adult Life

Abstract

The structural differences between arteries and veins are genetically predetermined. Vascular identity markers, the molecular markers specific to veins and arteries, determine the differential development of vessels during embryogenesis and their expression persists in adult vessels. It is revealed that they can be reactivated under various pathophysiologic conditions even after vessel differentiation. Thus, once considered as quiescent in adults, vascular identity markers may actually play significant roles in vascular remodeling. Manipulation of vascular identity and the underlying molecular mechanisms might be a novel strategy to improve vascular remodeling for clinical application.

Insights gained from single-cell RNA analysis of murine endothelial cells in aging hearts

“…Angiogenic EC, on the other hand, acts more like an “executor” of differentiation into different EC cells. The overall differentiation trajectory and results are consistent with previous reports [ [67] , [68] , [69] ]. Overall, we found that senescence does not significantly alter the differentiation trajectory of neovascularization.…”

Cellular loci involved in the development of brain arteriovenous malformations

“…Angiogenesis and AVM causative gene mutation in endothelial cells (ECs) are necessary for AVM development. Arterial and venous specification of ECs is a crucial step for development of normal vascular bed, which is determined by genetic factors, although surrounding cells and hemodynamic forces may also contribute to vascular remodeling ( Liu et al, 2020 ). Among those genes that are involved in EC arteriovenous specification, abnormal NOTCH signaling has been detected in human bAVMs and both gain or loss of function of Notch in mouse lead to bAVM formation ( Murphy et al, 2009 ; ZhuGe et al, 2009 ; Li et al, 2014 ).…”