Notch signaling in blood vessels: from morphogenesis to homeostasis

Sci China Life Sci. 2014 Aug;57(8):774-80. doi: 10.1007/s11427-014-4716-0. Epub 2014 Aug 8.

Abstract

Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved intercellular signaling pathway that plays numerous crucial roles in vascular development and physiology. Compelling evidence indicates that Notch signaling is vital for vascular morphogenesis including arterial and venous differentiation and endothelial tip and stalk cell specification during sprouting angiogenesis and also vessel maturation featured by mural cell differentiation and recruitment. Notch signaling is also required for vascular homeostasis in adults by keeping quiescent phalanx cells from re-entering cell cycle and by modulating the behavior of endothelial progenitor cells. We will summarize recent advances of Notch pathway in vascular biology with special emphasis on the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Vessels / growth & development
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism*
  • Homeostasis*
  • Humans
  • Morphogenesis*
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Receptors, Notch