The receptor tyrosine kinase TIE is required for integrity and survival of vascular endothelial cells.

MC Puri, J Rossant, K Alitalo, A Bernstein… - The EMBO …, 1995 - embopress.org
MC Puri, J Rossant, K Alitalo, A Bernstein, J Partanen
The EMBO journal, 1995embopress.org
Vascular endothelial cells are critical for the development and function of the mammalian
circulatory system. We have analyzed the role of the endothelial cell‐specific receptor
tyrosine kinase TIE in the mouse vasculature. Mouse embryos homozygous for a disrupted
Tie allele developed severe edema, their microvasculature was ruptured and they died
between days 13.5 and 14.5 of gestation. The major blood vessels of the homozygous
embryos appeared normal. Cells lacking a functional Tie gene were unable to contribute to …
Vascular endothelial cells are critical for the development and function of the mammalian circulatory system. We have analyzed the role of the endothelial cell‐specific receptor tyrosine kinase TIE in the mouse vasculature. Mouse embryos homozygous for a disrupted Tie allele developed severe edema, their microvasculature was ruptured and they died between days 13.5 and 14.5 of gestation. The major blood vessels of the homozygous embryos appeared normal. Cells lacking a functional Tie gene were unable to contribute to the adult kidney endothelium in chimeric animals, further demonstrating the intrinsic requirement for TIE in endothelial cells. We conclude that TIE is required during embryonic development for the integrity and survival of vascular endothelial cells, particularly in the regions undergoing angiogenic growth of capillaries. TIE is not essential, however, for vasculogenesis, the early differentiation of endothelial cells.
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