tumoral angiogenesis
Tumor angiogenesis is mediated by a balance of activators and inhibitors.
VEGF
Among them, VEGF is a key activator via the tyrosine kinase receptors VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3 (VGFRs).
Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) (MIM.602069) and neuropilin-2 (NRP2) (MIM.602070) are other transmembrane VEGF receptors (see NRPs). They were initially identified on neuronal cells as receptors for class 3 semaphorins (SEMA). The NP1 and NP2 receptors (NP2 shares 47% homology with NP1) are VEGF cor-eceptors that specifically enhance the interaction of VEGF with VEGFR2.
The function of NP1 and NP2 in carcinomas is not well known; however, NP1 overexpression is a marker of aggressiveness in prostate cancer in vivo and increases angiogenesis in colon and pancreatic cancer in vitro and [16].
Videos
VEGF and VEGFRs (28’’)
tumoral angiogenesis (1’12’’)
References
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