Coronin 1B controls endothelial actin dynamics at cell-cell junctions and is required for vessel network assembly

Angiogenesis requires the dynamic rearrangement of VE-cadherin-mediated endothelial cell-cell junctions. Ann-Cathrin Werner and colleagues were able to show the critical role of Coronin 1B for the dynamic remodeling of endothelial cell-cell junctions and the assembly of vessel networks.

Actin dynamics are regulated by actin-binding proteins controlling the remodeling of endothelial cell-cell junctions, endothelial cell migration and vessel integrity. Ann Cathrin Werner and colleagues identified Coronin 1B as a new regulator of junction-associated intermitted lamellipodia formation in endothelial cells. Live-cell imaging showed that Coronin 1B was recruited to and operated at actin-driven membrane protrusions of endothelial cell-cell junctions. Here, Coronin 1B was critical for the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Downregulation of Coronin 1B resulted in reduced vessel network complexity, vessel number and vessel length.

First author Ann-Cathrin Werner and their co-authors published these findings on the role of Coronin 1B on endothelial cell dynamics in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. Ann-Cathrin is a member of the graduate program IRTG 914.

Collaborative effort

The project greatly benefited from a close collaboration between Ann-Cathrin and colleagues of project A02 (PI Daniela Maier-Begandt/Barbara Walzog) with Ludwig Weckbach, PI of project B10.

Publication:

Werner AC, Weckbach LT, Salvermoser M, Pitter B, Cao J, Maier-Begandt D, Forné I, Schnittler HJ, Walzog B, Montanez E. (2020)
Coronin 1B controls endothelial actin dynamics at cell-cell junctions and is required for vessel network assembly
Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 2020; 8: 708.