Defining the roles of endothelial integrins during mammary gland development, functional differentiation, and involution (SSA)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Biological Sciences
Abstract
Blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and re-organisation play essential roles in embryonic development and are critical for maintaining healthy physiological processes such as wound healing and the restructuring of the uterine wall during the menstrual cycle. These process works less effectively as we age and mis-regulation of angiogenesis contributes to a multitude of malignant, inflammatory, ischaemic, infectious and immune disorder. Thus increasing our understanding of angiogenesis regulation will allow us to manipulate it to maintain health and repair disease throughout life.
Our lab is interested in the role of the endothelial fibronectin binding integrins because of their up-regulation in angiogenic vasculature. Recent evidence from us, and others, indicates these two integrins play instrumental roles in the formation of the vasculature of a number of embryonic organs. Using conditional knockout mouse models, this project will explore how their endothelial expression influences mammary gland development and functional differentiation. The mammary gland is one of the few organs to undergo cycles of epithelial/stromal growth & morphogenesis (during pregnancy), differentiation & functional activity (during lactation), and involution (after weaning) in post-natal life. Using endothelial cells isolated from the mammary glands of the same mouse models, the project will also how these two integrins co-operate to regulate endothelial cell behavior in vitro.
Our lab is interested in the role of the endothelial fibronectin binding integrins because of their up-regulation in angiogenic vasculature. Recent evidence from us, and others, indicates these two integrins play instrumental roles in the formation of the vasculature of a number of embryonic organs. Using conditional knockout mouse models, this project will explore how their endothelial expression influences mammary gland development and functional differentiation. The mammary gland is one of the few organs to undergo cycles of epithelial/stromal growth & morphogenesis (during pregnancy), differentiation & functional activity (during lactation), and involution (after weaning) in post-natal life. Using endothelial cells isolated from the mammary glands of the same mouse models, the project will also how these two integrins co-operate to regulate endothelial cell behavior in vitro.
People |
ORCID iD |
Stephen Robinson (Primary Supervisor) | |
Wesley Fowler (Student) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1776966 | Studentship | BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2021 | Wesley Fowler |
Description | Exploring potential placental phenotype in angiogenesis impeded animals |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Department | Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We supplied KO placentas to our collaborators. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators analysed the placentas histologically. |
Impact | On going. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | UEA Open/Applicant Days |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Demonstrations of post-graduate research work followed by questions and answers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |