Kidney neurovascular networks are critical to maintaining mammalian physiology and homeostasis. Despite their important roles, we know little about how they form and pattern in the embryonic kidney or how neurovascular interactions affect kidney development. Netrin-1 (Ntn1) is a secreted ligand critical for neurovascular guidance during embryogenesis and is highly expressed by stromal progenitors. Therefore, netrin-1 is an ideal candidate for regulating these processes during kidney development. In turn, the neurovascular networks can release factors important for development and maturation of tissues. We set out to identify candidate angiocrine factors released by the kidney endothelium and confirm their role in renal development.
Relevant Publication
Honeycutt SE, N’Guetta PY, Hardesty DM, Xiong Y, Cooper SL, Stevenson MJ, O’Brien LL. 2023. Netrin-1 directs vascular patterning and maturity in the developing kidney. Development. doi: 10.1242/dev.201886
Honeycutt S.E., N’Guetta P.Y. and O’Brien L.L., 2022. Innervation in organogenesis. Current Topics in Developmental Biology. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.02.0042021
Honeycutt S.E. and O’Brien L.L. 2021. Injection of Evans blue dye to fluorescently label and image intact vasculature. Biotechniques. doi: 10.2144/btn-2020-0152.