title: Class 3 semaphorins as a therapeutic target.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The semaphorins were initially described as axon guidance molecules that play important roles in the development of nervous system. Recent studies suggest that semaphorins and their receptors also exert such diverse functions as immune response, control of vascular endothelial cell motility and invasion of many types of cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The available results concerning application of class 3 semaphorins and their inhibitors for the treatment in animal disease models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because semaphorins are now recognized as key players in immune, cardiovascular, bone metabolism and neurological system, semaphorins and their receptors are most promising therapeutic targets for various disease states. As semaphorins exert their diverse or even opposing activities in vivo, more elaborate studies on pathophysiology and signal transduction mechanisms of semaphorins are required.
authors: Yokohama City University, Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Neurobiology, Japan. goshima@med.yokohama-cu.ac.jp
authors: Yoshio
authors: Y
authors: Goshima
authors: Yukio
authors: Y
authors: Sasaki
authors: Naoya
authors: N
authors: Yamashita
authors: Fumio
authors: F
authors: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D039961:Semaphorins