Biomedical significance of endothelial cell specific growth factor, angiopoietin.
Until recently, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was the only growth factor proven to be specific and critical for blood vessel formation. Other long-known factors, such as the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), platelet-derived growth factor, or transforming growth factor-beta, had profound effects in endothelial cells. But such factors were nonspecific, in that they could act on many other cells, and it seemed unlikely that these growth factors would be effective targets for treatment of endothelial cell diseases. A recently discovered endothelial cell specific growth factor, angiopoietin, has greatly contributed to our understanding of the development, physiology, and pathology of endothelial cells (Davis et al., 1996; Yancopoulos et al., 2000). The recent studies that identified and characterized the physiological and pathological roles of angiopoietin have allowed us to widen and deepen our knowledge about blood vessel formation and vascular endothelial function. Therefore, in this review, we describe the biomedical significance of these endothelial cell growth factors, the angiopoietins, in the vascular system under normal and pathological states.
Koh
Gou Young
GY
National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Endothelial Cells, Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea. gykoh@postech.ac.kr
Kim
Injune
I
Kwak
Hee Jin
HJ
Yun
Mi-Jeong
MJ
Leem
Jae Chan
JC
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D042683:Angiopoietin-1; D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000502:physiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D042683:Angiopoietin-1; D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; C105373:MEN1 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors