Comparison of gene expression between wild type, Notch1-activated, and RBPJ loss-of-function embryonic mouse yolk sac tissue at E9.5

The signaling cascades that direct the morphological differentiation of the vascular system during early embryogenesis are not well defined. To further understand the role of Notch signaling during endothelial differentiation, this study uses both an in vivo gain-of-function and an in vivo loss-of-function approach. At embryonic day 9.5, embryos with activated Notch1 signaling in the endothelia display a variety of growth and cardiovascular defects, and die soon after E10.5. Most notably, the extra-embryonic vasculature of the yolk sac displays remodeling differentiation defects. In the wild-type yolk sac, the primary vascular network has begun to reorganize, forming the large primary vessels and the smaller capillaries. In the activated Notch1 embryos, remodeling is defective; the vasculature have an enlarged surface with decreased inter-vessel space. Embryos with ablated Notch signaling also display growth and vascular defects at E9.5 similar to the activated Notch1 embryos, however they exhibit a lack of vascular remodeling in the yolk sac, retaining the simple vascular plexus seen at E8.5. These results indicate that Notch signaling plays a critical role in the remodeling of the vasculature in the early embryo, particularly in the extra-embryonic region.

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