In situ hybridization and immunogold localization of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 on the pericytes of the chick chorioallantoic membrane.

摘要

This paper describes the expression of VEGF and of VEGFR-2 in the vasculature of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunoelectron microscopy. Results showed that VEGFR-2 is expressed in both the endothelial cells and the pericytes, while VEGF in the chorionic epithelial cells. VEGF may therefore be released to promote both angiogenesis, by initiating an angiogenic response by endothelial cells expressing VEGFR-2, and the recruitment of pericytes along the capillary wall, playing also a crucial role in maturation and stabilization of the CAM blood vessels. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.