DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/6RZ1-JB35

Defense Date

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Anatomy & Neurobiology

First Advisor

Dr. Joyce A. Lloyd

Second Advisor

Dr. Jack L. Haar

Abstract

Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of transcription factors with 3 Cys2/His2 zinc fingers that regulate cell differentiation and developmental processes. EKLF is involved in primitive and definitive erythropoiesis; KLF2 is implicated in the development of primitive erythroid and endothelial cells of the vasculature. Using light and electron microscopy, the yolk sacs and dorsal aortae from EKLF/KLF2 double knockout (KO) E9.5 (embryonic day 9.5) were examined to determine whether these KLFs have compensatory functions in morphology of blood cells and vessels. EKLF/KLF2 double KO E9.5 erythroid, endothelial, and mesothelial cells had more severely abnormal morphology than WT and KLF2-/-. Flow cytometry and cytospins were used to determine maturational effects of single and EKLF/KLF2 double KO primitive erythroid cells double-labeled with anti-TER119 and anti-CD71. EKLF KO and EKLF/KLF2 double KO erythroid cells display defective erythroid maturation. EKLF and KLF2 have overlapping roles in the development of embryonic erythroid and endothelial cells.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

June 2008

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