| First Author | Furman C | Year | 2007 |
| Journal | J Cell Biol | Volume | 179 |
| Issue | 4 | Pages | 761-75 |
| PubMed ID | 17998398 | Mgi Jnum | J:135553 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3794020 | Doi | 10.1083/jcb.200705002 |
| Citation | Furman C, et al. (2007) Ena/VASP is required for endothelial barrier function in vivo. J Cell Biol 179(4):761-75 |
| abstractText | Enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (Ena/VASP) proteins are key actin regulators that localize at regions of dynamic actin remodeling, including cellular protrusions and cell-cell and cell-matrix junctions. Several studies have suggested that Ena/VASP proteins are involved in the formation and function of cellular junctions. Here, we establish the importance of Ena/VASP in endothelial junctions in vivo by analysis of Ena/VASP-deficient animals. In the absence of Ena/VASP, the vasculature exhibits patterning defects and lacks structural integrity, leading to edema, hemorrhaging, and late stage embryonic lethality. In endothelial cells, we find that Ena/VASP activity is required for normal F-actin content, actomyosin contractility, and proper response to shear stress. These findings demonstrate that Ena/VASP is critical for actin cytoskeleton remodeling events involved in the maintenance of functional endothelia. |
