Temporal Dynamics of Endothelium After Radiation Injury Reveal a Transient Pro-Angiogenic Capillary Subpopulation Associated With Skin Repair
March 2026
in “
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
”
vascular endothelial cells VECs ionizing radiation capillary endothelial subpopulation capVEC2 pro-angiogenic signaling keratinocytes immune surveillance tissue homeostasis pro-inflammatory signaling pro-apoptotic signaling Sp1 regulatory activity vascular-epidermal communication skin repair endothelial cells radiation capillary cells angiogenesis skin cells immune system cell death gene regulation skin healing
TLDR A temporary capillary cell type helps skin repair after radiation by promoting blood vessel growth.
This study investigates the effects of ionizing radiation on vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in mouse dorsal skin, revealing significant temporal dynamics post-irradiation. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, researchers identified a transient capillary endothelial subpopulation, capVEC2, which appears 2-3 days after irradiation. This subpopulation is characterized by pro-angiogenic and migration-related activities, with enhanced Sp1 regulatory activity. Initially, capVEC2 engages in pro-angiogenic signaling with keratinocytes, but by 3 days post-irradiation, interactions shift towards immune surveillance and tissue homeostasis, with increased pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic signaling. The study highlights the role of capVEC2 in vascular-epidermal communication during skin repair following radiation injury.
