Tie2 Transgene Construction and Analysis of Vascular Malformations

Bellas, Eleni

Student Work

Tie2 Transgene Construction and Analysis of Vascular Malformations

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Venous malformations are the most common type of vascular malformation. There is currently no cure and few treatment options for venous malformations. Because they can cause significant impacts on patient quality of life and cause complications leading to death, identifying potential therapeutics is extremely important. A common somatic mutation causing venous malformations is TIE2-L914F, which has the zebrafish homologue TIE2-L906F. In order to study venous malformations caused by this mutation, zebrafish embryo microinjections were utilized to create a stable transgenic zebrafish line by using a Cre-dependent FLEX approach for a conditionally activated allele. Although establishment of the stable transgenic line was successful, there was no phenotypic evidence in the F1 generation of venous malformations or other defects following activation of the transgene during embryonic development. Further analysis and troubleshooting is necessary to validate these results, and future experiments should include repeating the microinjections with variable doses of Cre recombinase for transgene activation, assaying to determine if the transgene is creating the desired effect on the TIE2 signaling pathway, and redesigning the transgenic construct.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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