Gomez-Salinero, Itkin et al. demonstrate the cooperative role of two ETS transcriptor factors, ERG and Fli1, in the active maintenance of endothelial cell homeostatic function. Loss of these two genes in adult mice leads to multi-organ failure, hyperinflammation, systemic thrombosis and death. In vitro, expression of both ERG and FLI1 induces human adult non-vascular mesenchymal stromal cells to acquire endothelial-like properties. In humans, several cardiovascular disorders and inflammatory-related diseases are linked to mutations in both genes.
- Jesus M. Gomez-Salinero
- Tomer Itkin
- Shahin Rafii