Temporo-spatial distribution of endothelial-monocyte activating polypeptide II, an anti-angiogenic protein, in the mouse embryo

We describe the temporo-spatial distribution of Endothelial-Monocyte Activating Polypeptide (EMAP) II in order to better understand what role this anti-angiogenic proteins may play in fetal development. In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and Western analysis were performed on fetal, neonatal, and adult tissue. EMAP II was first detected only within the central nervous system on 9 days postcoitum (dpc). Subsequently, at 11 through 18 dpc, EMAP II expression was detected in the respiratory, central nervous, cardiovascular, urogenital systems, sense organs, and digestive tract. EMAP II mRNA and protein was localized to the epithelium, with its highest expression in neurons, blood vessels, and at sites of epithelial- mesenchymal interaction. The temporo-spatial distribution of EMAP II suggests that it could play an important role in morphogenesis of the vertebrate embryo. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.