Integrin cell adhesion receptors and their ligand fibronectin play important roles during disease-associated and developmental angiogenesis. However, there are many different integrins, each of which contains a specific α subunit and a specific β subunit, and it is not clear which α subunits are involved in angiogenesis. Now, Arjan van der Flier and colleagues implicate both α5 and αv integrins, the major endothelial fibronectin receptors, in vascular remodelling during mouse development (see p. 2439). The researchers first show that, unexpectedly, the endothelial-specific knockout of α5 integrin has no obvious effect on developmental angiogenesis. They then test whether αv integrins compensate for the absence of α5 integrins by generating endothelium-specific α5; αv double-knockout mice. Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are initially normal in these mice, but subsequent remodelling defects in the great vessels and the heart eventually cause embryonic death. Further investigations into the complex interplay among integrins during angiogenesis revealed here could lead to the development of effective anti-angiogenic drugs for cancer therapy.
Integrin complexity at the heart of angiogenesis Free
Integrin complexity at the heart of angiogenesis. Development 15 July 2010; 137 (14): e1404. doi:
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
Development presents…

Development is delighted to host a webinar series showcasing the latest developmental biology and stem cell research. The webinars are held each month with talks from postdocs applying for independent positions as part of our Pathway to Independence programme. Visit Development presents... on the Node to see which stimulating topics are coming up in the next few months.
Meet our 2025 Pathway to Independence (PI) fellows

We are delighted to announce our third cohort of PI fellows - researchers whom we will be supporting as they transition from postdoc to Principal Investigator. Read about the eight talented fellows chosen, whom we're excited to be working with as they navigate the job market.
A case for broadening our view of mechanism in developmental biology

In this Perspective, B. Duygu Özpolat and colleagues survey researchers on their views on what it takes to infer mechanism in developmental biology. They examine what factors shape our idea of what we mean by ‘mechanism’ and suggest a path forward that embraces a broad outlook on the diversity of studies that advance knowledge in our field.
Browse by subject
![Development logo - Browse by subject: Explore Development's content, now easily accessible by subject area. The ad has a black background with three vibrant scientific images: a developing embryo on the left, a green plant-like structure in the center, and a gastruloid (a circular cell with a bright pink center and blue outer ring) on the right. [Blue button: browse content].](https://cob.silverchair-cdn.com/ImageLibrary/Development/Snippets/2025_05_Dev_Browse-by-subject_600x230_Snippet.png?versionId=8993)
From cardiovascular development and regeneration to tissue engineering and organoids, Development’s browse by subject archive allows you to access the latest papers (from late 2024 onwards) on a particular field of interest. In addition to our curated subject collections, these subject pages allow readers to browse a broader range of papers organised by topic.