KDR-LacZ-expressing cells are involved in ovarian and testis-specific vascular development, suggesting a role for VEGFA in the regulation of this vasculature

Authors

Rebecca C. Bott, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Debra T. Summers, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Anna M. Fuller, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ryann M. McFee, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ningxia Lu, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Renee M. McFee, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Andrea S. Cupp, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

10-2010

Citation

Cell Tissue Res. 2010 October ; 342(1): pp.117–130. doi:10.1007/s00441-010-1038-9.

Comments

Copyright © Springer-Verlag 2010. Used by permission.

Abstract

Our objectives were to evaluate kinase insert domain protein receptor (KDR)-β-galactosidase (LacZ) expression as a marker for vascular development during gonadal morphogenesis and to determine whether any novel non-angiogenic KDR-LacZ expression was present in mouse testes or ovaries. Gonads were collected from mice expressing LacZ driven by the Kdr promoter (KDRLacZ) from embryonic day 11 (E11) through postnatal day 60 (P60). At E11.5, mesonephric cells expressing KDR-LacZ seemed to migrate into the developing testis and surrounded developing seminiferous cords. Cells expressing KDR-LacZ appeared in the ovary with no apparent migration from the adjacent mesonephros, suggesting a different origin of endothelial cells. Testis organ cultures from E11 mice were treated with 8 μM VEGFR-TKI, a vascular endothelial growth factor A signal transduction inhibitor; subsequently, the amount of KDR-LacZ staining was reduced by 66%-99% (P