Notch and VEGF signalling controls the specification of endothelial cells to tip and stalk cells during angiogenesis sprouting. Alitalo and colleagues show that macrophage-derived VEGF-C activates VEGFR2 to contribute to the conversion of endothelial cells from a tip- to a stalk-cell fate when two sprouts fuse to ensure vessel growth and branching.
- Tuomas Tammela
- Georgia Zarkada
- Kari Alitalo
