Authors: Sara B Seidelmann Janet K Lighthouse Daniel M Greif
Publish Date: 2013/09/27
Volume: 71, Issue: 11, Pages: 1977-1999
Abstract
Arteries consist of an inner single layer of endothelial cells surrounded by layers of smooth muscle and an outer adventitia The majority of vascular developmental studies focus on the construction of endothelial networks through the process of angiogenesis Although many devastating vascular diseases involve abnormalities in components of the smooth muscle and adventitia ie the vascular wall the morphogenesis of these layers has received relatively less attention Here we briefly review key elements underlying endothelial layer formation and then focus on vascular wall development specifically on smooth muscle cell origins and differentiation patterning of the vascular wall and the role of extracellular matrix and adventitial progenitor cells Finally we discuss select human diseases characterized by marked vascular wall abnormalities We propose that continuing to apply approaches from developmental biology to the study of vascular disease will stimulate important advancements in elucidating disease mechanism and devising novel therapeutic strategies
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