Positive Feedback Defines the Timing, Magnitude, and Robustness of Angiogenesis

Abstract

In angiogenesis, tight control of endothelial tip cell selection and migration drives new blood vessel branching. Page et al. show that VEGF-signaling-mediated positive feedback shapes the timing, magnitude, and robustness of tip cell identity decisions. Moreover, they identify a key modulator of VEGF-mediated positive feedback, Tm4sf18, which temporally controls angiogenesis in vivo.