Established, New and Emerging Concepts in Brain Vascular Development

In this review, we discuss the state of our knowledge as it relates to embryonic brain vascular patterning in model systems zebrafish and mouse. We focus on the origins of endothelial cell and the distinguishing features of brain endothelial cells compared to non-brain endothelial cells, which is revealed by single cell RNA-sequencing methodologies. We also discuss the cross talk between brain endothelial cells and neural stem cells, and their effect on each other. In terms of mechanisms, we focus exclusively on Wnt signaling and the recent developments associated with this signaling network in brain vascular patterning, and the benefits and challenges associated with strategies for targeting the brain vasculature. We end the review with a discussion on the emerging areas of meningeal lymphatics, endothelial cilia biology and novel cerebrovascular structures identified in vertebrates.

Automated summary

This review discusses the state of knowledge on embryonic brain vascular patterning in zebrafish and mouse model systems, focusing on the origins and distinguishing features of brain endothelial cells. The interplay between brain endothelial cells and neural stem cells, mechanisms of Wnt signaling in brain vascular patterning, and emerging areas in vertebrates' cerebrovascular structures are explored.