Eph receptor tyrosine kinases in angiogenesis: from development to disease.
Angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels sprout and branch from existing vasculature, is crucial for vascular remodeling during embryogenesis and in normal tissue homeostasis, such as in the female reproductive tract. Angiogenesis can also contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer and retinopathy. The Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligands, called ephrins, has emerged as critical regulators of vascular remodeling in the embryo. More recently, these molecules have been associated with post-natal angiogenic remodeling and tumor neovascularization. This review provides an overview of recent advances in our understanding of Eph/ephrins in angiogenesis, with an emphasis on development and disease, and the potential for targeting these molecules in anti-angiogenic therapy.
Department of Medicine, Division of Rhematology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2363, USA.
Dana M
DM
Brantley-Sieders
Jin
J
Chen
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D036082:Receptor, EphA1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
D008024:Ligands; D036082:Receptor, EphA1