Analysis of Vascular Patterning and Morphogenesis
In the Weinstein Lab we also study the mechanisms and molecular basis for vascular patterning and morphogenesis during development. We are interested in how vascular networks assemble with a defined, stereotypic anatomical pattern during development, and what cues guide this reproducible patterning. We use multiphoton time-lapse imaging to examine how angiogenic networks assemble in vivo, and experimental snd genetic studies to elucidate molecular mechanisms directing this. Our studies have revealed that at least some axonal guidance factors play analogous novel roles in guiding and directing the proper assembly of vascular networks in vivo. Semaphorin-plexin signaling is critical for specifying the proper segmentally arranged growth of trunk angiogenic blood vessels. We are currently using additional genetic and experimental studies to elucidate downstream platers in semaphorin-plexin vascular signaling and identify new mechanisms for vessel guidance. See selected references
Mispatterned trunk intersegmental blood vessels in zebrafish with loss of plexinD1, a vascular-specific sem,aphorin receptor required for proper vessel guidance. Left panel, plexinD1+ animal. Right panel, plexinD1- animal.