Phenotypic heterogeneity is an evolutionarily conserved feature of the endothelium

Citation:

Yano K, Gale D, Massberg S, Cheruvu PK, Monahan-Earley R, Morgan ES, Haig D, von Andrian UH, Dvorak AM, Aird WC. Phenotypic heterogeneity is an evolutionarily conserved feature of the endothelium. Blood. 2007;109 :613-5.
613.full_.pdf317 KB

Date Published:

Jan 15

Abstract:

Mammalian endothelial cells (ECs) display marked phenotypic heterogeneity. Little is known about the evolutionary mechanisms underlying EC heterogeneity. The last common ancestor of hagfish and gnathostomes was also the last common ancestor of all extant vertebrates, which lived some time more than 500 million years ago. Features of ECs that are shared between hagfish and gnathostomes can be inferred to have already been present in this ancestral vertebrate. The goal of this study was to determine whether the hagfish endothelium displays phenotypic heterogeneity. Electron microscopy of the aorta, dermis, heart, and liver revealed ultrastructural heterogeneity of the endothelium. Immunofluorescent studies demonstrated marked differences in lectin binding between vascular beds. Intravital microscopy of the dermis revealed histamine-induced adhesion of leukocytes in capillaries and postcapillary venules, but no such adhesion in arterioles. Together, these data suggest that structural, molecular, and functional heterogeneity of the endothelium evolved as an early feature of this cell lineage.

Notes:

Yano, KiichiroGale, DanielMassberg, SteffenCheruvu, Pavan KMonahan-Earley, RitaMorgan, Ellen SHaig, Davidvon Andrian, Ulrich HDvorak, Ann MAird, William Ceng2006/09/23 09:00Blood. 2007 Jan 15;109(2):613-5. Epub 2006 Sep 21.

Last updated on 09/23/2015