Cellular and molecular mechanisms of arterialization

Collateral artery growth (arteriogenesis) can be induced in mice by ligation of the femoral artery. In order to investigate the role of the cytoskeleton for arteriogenesis, we performed transcriptome analyses on collateral arteries isolated 24h after induction of arteriolar growth. Our results evidenced that the composition of the cytoskeleton is completely altered at that timepoint. Furthermore, we identified proteins differentially expressed factors that function in controlling actin dynamics as well as a factor (actin co-localizing protein, ACP) transmitting signals from the cytoskeleton to the nucleus. Therefore, we conclude that the cytoskeleton plays a central role in process of collateral artery growth.