Defining the functional influence of endothelial cell-expressed oncogenic activating mutations on vascular morphogenesis and capillary assembly

We sought to define key molecules and signals controlling major steps in vascular morphogenesis, and how these signals regulate pericyte recruitment and pericyte-induced basement membrane deposition. The morphogenic impact of EC expression of activating mutants of kRas, Mek1, PIK3CA, Akt1, Rheb, Jak2, or Stat3 expression vs. controls was evaluated, along with EC signaling events, pharmacological inhibitor assays, and siRNA suppression experiments. We observe that primary stimulators of EC lumen formation include kRas, Akt1, and Mek1, while PIK3CA and Akt1 stimulate a specialized type of cystic lumen formation.

Source: American Journal of Pathology - October 12, 2023 Category: Pathology Authors: Prisca K. Lin, Zheying Sun, George E. Davis Tags: Regular Article Source Type: research