ENDOTHELIAL-PERIVASCULAR CELL SIGNALING IN VASCULAR DEVELOPMENT - LESSONS FROM KNOCKOUT MICE

The importance of perivascular-endothelial cell interactions during bl ood vessel development is discussed in the light of recent findings in platelet-derived growth factor-B, platelet-derived growth factor rece ptor-beta, angiopoietin-1 and tie-2 knockout mice, which all show defi cient development of perivascular cells. The initial formation of netw orks of endothelial tubes (vasculogenesis) does not seem to depend on the perivascular cells but subsequent vessel remodeling relies on mese nchymal-endothelial short-range signaling. Based on findings in platel et-derived growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptor k nockout mice, a general model for the role of platelet-derived growth factors in smooth muscle development is proposed. Curr Opin Lipidol 9: 407-411. (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins