Lack of VEGFR2 signaling causes maldevelopment of the intestinal microvasculature and facilitates necrotizing enterocolitis in neonatal mice

In conclusion, we found that VEGF-A and VEGFR2 proteins are highly expressed in the intestine before birth, and are significantly downregulated in the immediate neonatal period. Furthermore, VEGFR2 signaling is necessary to maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosal microvasculature during the postnatal period and lack of VEGFR2 signaling predisposes to NEC in neonatal mice.

Source: AJP: Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology - April 30, 2016 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Yan, X., Managlia, E., Liu, S. X., Tan, X.-D., Wang, X., Marek, C., De Plaen, I. G. Tags: TRANSLATIONAL PHYSIOLOGY Source Type: research