An ATX-LPA6-Gα13-ROCK axis shapes and maintains caudal vein plexus in zebrafish

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potential regulator of vascular formation derived from blood. In this study, we utilized zebrafish as a model organism to monitor the blood vessel formation in detail. Zebrafish mutant of ATX, an LPA-producing enzyme, had a defect in the caudal vein plexus (CVP). Pharmacological inhibition of ATX resulted in a fusion of the delicate vessels in the CVP to form large sac-like vessels. Mutant embryos of LPA(6) receptor and downstream G alpha(13) showed the same phenotype. Administration of OMPT, a stable LPA-analog, induced rapid CVP constriction, which was attenuated significantly in the LPA(6) mutant. We also found that blood flow-induced CVP formation was dependent on ATX. The present study demonstrated that the ATX-LPA(6) axis acts cooperatively with blood flow and contributes to the formation and maintenance of the CVP by generating contractive force in endothelial cells.

Automated summary

The study found that the ATX-LPA(6) axis cooperates with blood flow to generate contractile force in endothelial cells, contributing to the formation and maintenance of the CVP.