Two key events during evolution allowed vertebrates to develop specialized
tissues able to perform complex tasks: the formation of a highly branched vascular
system ensuring that all tissues receive adequate blood supply, and the development
of a nervous system in which nerves branches to transmit electrical signal to
peripheral organs. Both networks are laid down in a complex and stereotyped manner,
which is tightly controlled by a series of shared developmental cues. Vessels and
nerves use similar signals and principles to grow, differentiate and navigate toward
their final targets. Moreover, the vascular and the nervous system cross-talk and,
when deregulated, they contribute to medically relevant diseases. The emerging
evidence that both systems share several molecular pathways not only provides an
important link between vascular biology and neuroscience, but also promises to
accelerate the discovery of new pathogenetic insights and therapeutic strategies.
