Title:Neuropilin Signalling in Vascular Development and Pathology
Volume: 1
Issue: 2
Author(s): Alessandro Fantin, Alice Plein and Christiana Ruhrberg
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Angiogenesis, VEGF, VEGF-A, SEMA3A, neuropilin, VEGFR2, endothelial cells, Neuropilin Signalling, Vascular Development, Pathology
Abstract: The creation of functional blood vessel circuits is a critical step during embryonic development to support organ
growth and differentiation. In the adult, angiogenesis occurs naturally in the female reproductive system, during exercise-
induced muscle growth and in wound healing. However, adult angiogenesis also promotes tumour growth and contributes
to many other diseases with tissue ischemia. The transmembrane protein neuropilin 1 (NRP1) is an isoformselective
receptor for the most potent vascular growth and permeability factor, VEGF-A. NRP1 also functions as a receptor
for an archetypical neural guidance cue called SEMA3A that inhibits tumour angiogenesis. In the adult vasculature,
both VEGF-A and SEMA3A increase vascular permeability and thereby promote the formation of tissue oedema. Here,
we review current knowledge about NRP1 function during blood vessel growth and vascular pathology.
