Differential vegfc expression dictates lymphatic response during zebrafish heart development and regeneration.

TitleDifferential vegfc expression dictates lymphatic response during zebrafish heart development and regeneration.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsDuca, S, Xia, Y, Elmagid, LAbd, Bakis, I, Qiu, M, Cao, Y, Guo, Y, Eichenbaum, JV, McCain, ML, Kang, J, Harrison, MRM, Cao, J
JournalDevelopment
Volume151
Issue22
Date Published2024 Nov 15
ISSN1477-9129
KeywordsAnimals, Animals, Genetically Modified, Blood Platelets, Cell Proliferation, Coronary Vessels, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Heart, Lymphangiogenesis, Lymphatic Vessels, Myocytes, Cardiac, Regeneration, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C, Zebrafish, Zebrafish Proteins
Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (Vegfc) is crucial for lymphatic and blood vessel development, yet its cellular sources and specific functions in heart development remain unclear. To address this, we created a vegfc reporter and an inducible overexpression line in zebrafish. We found vegfc expression in large coronary arteries, circulating thrombocytes, cardiac adipocytes, and outflow tract smooth muscle cells. Notably, although coronary lymphangiogenesis aligns with Vegfc-expressing arteries in juveniles, it occurs only after coronary artery formation. Vegfc overexpression induced ectopic lymphatics on the ventricular surface prior to arterial formation, indicating that Vegfc abundance, rather than arterial presence, drives lymphatic development. However, this overexpression did not affect coronary artery coverage, suggesting a specific role for Vegfc in lymphatic, rather than arterial, development. Thrombocytes emerged as the initial Vegfc source during inflammation following heart injuries, transitioning to endocardial and myocardial expression during regeneration. Lower Vegfc levels in an amputation model corresponded with a lack of lymphatic expansion. Importantly, Vegfc overexpression enhanced lymphatic expansion and promoted scar resolution without affecting cardiomyocyte proliferation, highlighting its role in regulating lymphangiogenesis and promoting heart regeneration.

DOI10.1242/dev.202947
Alternate JournalDevelopment
PubMed ID39514676
Grant ListT32-HD060600 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
/ / The Louis and Rachel Rudin Foundation /
R01 HL155607 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
/ / May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation /
AHA941434 / / American Heart Association /
T32 HD060600 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
R01 NS126209 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
R01HL155607 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL151522 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL166518 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States