Endothelial-derived PDGF-BB and HB-EGF coordinately regulate pericyte recruitment during vasculogenic tube assembly and stabilization

Recently, we reported a novel system whereby human pericytes are recruited to endothelial cell (EC)-lined tubes in 3-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrices to stimulate vascular maturation including basement membrane matrix assembly. Through the use of this serum-free, defined system, we demonstrate that pericyte motility within 3D collagen matrices is dependent on the copresence of ECs. Using either soluble receptor traps consisting of the extracellular ligand-binding domains of platelet-derived growth factor receptor β, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and ErbB4 receptors or blocking antibodies directed to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, or heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), we show that both of these EC-derived ligands are required to control pericyte motility, proliferation, and recruitment along the EC tube ablumenal surface. Blockade of pericyte recruitment causes a lack of basement membrane matrix deposition and, concomitantly, increased vessel widths. Combined inhibition of PDGF-BB and HB-EGF-induced signaling in quail embryos leads to reduced pericyte recruitment to EC tubes, decreased basement membrane matrix deposition, increased vessel widths, and vascular hemorrhage phenotypes in vivo, in support of our findings in vitro. In conclusion, we report a dual role for EC-derived PDGF-BB and HB-EGF in controlling pericyte recruitment to EC-lined tubes during developmental vascularization events.