Loss of Jagged1 in mature endothelial cells causes vascular dysfunction with alterations in smooth muscle phenotypes. Loss of Jagged1 in mature endothelial cells causes vascular dysfunction with alterations in smooth muscle phenotypes

Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that functions via direct cell-cell contact. The Notch ligand Jagged1 (Jag1) has been extensively studied in vascular development, particularly for its role in smooth muscle cell maturation. Endothelial cell-expressed Jag1 is essential for blood vessel formation by signaling to nascent vascular smooth muscle cells and promoting their differentiation. Given the established importance of Jag1 in endothelial cell/smooth muscle crosstalk during development, we sought to determine the extent of this communication in the adult vasculature for blood vessel function and homeostasis. Overall design: Comparative expression of EC-Jag1-deficient aortas with wild-type controls