Zebrafish, Investigatory Model for Stroke: The Roles of itga6 in Hindbrain Blood Vessel Development

Location

Room 2911

Session Format

Paper Presentation

Research Area Topic:

MBI - Molecular Biology Initiative

Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors

Louise Zehr, Kayla Smith, Vinoth Sittaramane Ph. D.

Abstract

Stroke is one of leading causes of death and disability worldwide (CDC, 2014) and is described as the blockage of oxygenated blood to portions of the brain. Even though the occurrence of stroke happens in older age groups, genetic studies have found mutations (SNPs) in ITGA6 protein to be linked to the predisposition of stroke (Park et al., 2011). As of now, this protein’s roles in development of the cranial vascular system are unknown. This study looks at not only understanding this protein in its normal state but also establishing its physiological effects when mutated by using the model organism, zebrafish. Zebrafish are excellent models; their genome and development is comparative to that of humans. Zebrafish are also transparent allowing for visualization of the developing hindbrain vascular system and high resolution imaging of the cells involved. In our first aim, we identify the roles of itga6. Loss of itga6 in zebrafish embryos leads to severe mispatterning, loss of vessels, increase in protrusions, and dilation of hindbrain blood vessels. When embryos with the loss of itga6 are injected with itga6 mRNA they are rescued, showing less mispatterning, higher number of vessels, decrease in protrusions, and decrease in dilation. This suggests that itga6 does play a role in the development of the hindbrain blood vessels. We are currently characterizing this role by looking at itga6’s effect on morphology of the vessel cells and its ability to cleave.

Keywords

Zebrafish, Stroke, Blood vessels, Hindbrain, ITGA6, Integrin, Cranial vascular system

Presentation Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

Start Date

4-24-2015 1:30 PM

End Date

4-24-2015 2:30 PM

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Apr 24th, 1:30 PM Apr 24th, 2:30 PM

Zebrafish, Investigatory Model for Stroke: The Roles of itga6 in Hindbrain Blood Vessel Development

Room 2911

Stroke is one of leading causes of death and disability worldwide (CDC, 2014) and is described as the blockage of oxygenated blood to portions of the brain. Even though the occurrence of stroke happens in older age groups, genetic studies have found mutations (SNPs) in ITGA6 protein to be linked to the predisposition of stroke (Park et al., 2011). As of now, this protein’s roles in development of the cranial vascular system are unknown. This study looks at not only understanding this protein in its normal state but also establishing its physiological effects when mutated by using the model organism, zebrafish. Zebrafish are excellent models; their genome and development is comparative to that of humans. Zebrafish are also transparent allowing for visualization of the developing hindbrain vascular system and high resolution imaging of the cells involved. In our first aim, we identify the roles of itga6. Loss of itga6 in zebrafish embryos leads to severe mispatterning, loss of vessels, increase in protrusions, and dilation of hindbrain blood vessels. When embryos with the loss of itga6 are injected with itga6 mRNA they are rescued, showing less mispatterning, higher number of vessels, decrease in protrusions, and decrease in dilation. This suggests that itga6 does play a role in the development of the hindbrain blood vessels. We are currently characterizing this role by looking at itga6’s effect on morphology of the vessel cells and its ability to cleave.