As described in the goals and objectives section of this report, this project consists of two specific aims: Isolation of novel genes regulating vascular integrity via forward genetics We use forward-genetic approaches to identify and characterize new mutants that specifically disrupt cranial vascular integrity in the zebrafish, with the aim of identifying novel candidate genes influencing the susceptibility to hemorrhagic stroke. We are carrying out an F2 genetic screen for ENU-induced dominant hemorrhage-prone mutants. We have screened over 200 genomes to date, and identified 8 new vascular mutants showing increased susceptibility to intracranial hemorrhage. A bulked segregant mapping pipeline is in place to rapidly determine the rough position of newly identified mutants on the zebrafish genetic map, and fine mapping and molecular cloning is in progress for many of the mutants. We have previously cloned many novel genes influencing vascular development from our genetic screens, and these new vascular integrity mutants promise to bring to light new pathways important in the maintenance of vascular barrier function. Functional analysis of zebrafish orthologs of human stroke disease genes Together with the Laboratory of Dr. Elizabeth Tournier-Lasserve, we are carrying out experimental analysis on zebrafish orthologs of human hemorrhagic stroke genes. We are studying the defective genes from patients with Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM), Moya-Moya, and other cerebrovascular diseases. Our goal is to better understand the roles of these genes in maintaining vascular integrity by using the genetic and experimental tools available in the fish to probe their functions in vivo. We have recently shown that the Brcc1 gene (lesions in which cause human syndromic Moya-Moya, a cerebrovascular disease resulting in excess fragile vessel formation) is necessary for angiogenesis in vivo.
| Nowak-Sliwinska, Patrycja; Alitalo, Kari; Allen, Elizabeth et al. (2018) Consensus guidelines for the use and interpretation of angiogenesis assays. Angiogenesis 21:425-532 |
| Krispin, Shlomo; Stratman, Amber N; Melick, Chase H et al. (2018) Growth Differentiation Factor 6 Promotes Vascular Stability by Restraining Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 38:353-362 |
| Stratman, Amber N; Pezoa, Sofia A; Farrelly, Olivia M et al. (2017) Interactions between mural cells and endothelial cells stabilize the developing zebrafish dorsal aorta. Development 144:115-127 |
| Stainier, Didier Y R; Raz, Erez; Lawson, Nathan D et al. (2017) Guidelines for morpholino use in zebrafish. PLoS Genet 13:e1007000 |
| Venero Galanternik, Marina; Castranova, Daniel; Gore, Aniket V et al. (2017) A novel perivascular cell population in the zebrafish brain. Elife 6: |
| Ulrich, Florian; Carretero-Ortega, Jorge; Menéndez, Javier et al. (2016) Reck enables cerebrovascular development by promoting canonical Wnt signaling. Development 143:1055 |
| Kallakuri, Sowjanya; Yu, Jianxin A; Li, Jade et al. (2015) Endothelial cilia are essential for developmental vascular integrity in zebrafish. J Am Soc Nephrol 26:864-75 |
| Miskinyte, Snaigune; Butler, Matthew G; Herve, Dominique et al. (2011) Loss of BRCC3 deubiquitinating enzyme leads to abnormal angiogenesis and is associated with syndromic moyamoya. Am J Hum Genet 88:718-28 |
| Butler, Matthew G; Gore, Aniket V; Weinstein, Brant M (2011) Zebrafish as a model for hemorrhagic stroke. Methods Cell Biol 105:137-61 |
| Fujita, Misato; Cha, Young R; Pham, Van N et al. (2011) Assembly and patterning of the vascular network of the vertebrate hindbrain. Development 138:1705-15 |
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