Retinal vascular development is mediated by endothelial filopodia, a preexisting astrocytic template and specific R-cadherin adhesion.

Abstract

. These studies suggest that angiogenesis and formation of vascular patterns in the retina may use many of the same developmental cues used by neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Furthermore, retinal vascular endothelial cell guidance mediated by filopodial extensions and neuronal guidance cues may represent a novel conceptual framework within which to study the establishment of vascular patterns in a variety of angiogenic systems.