Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

In Vitro Model of Coronary Angiogenesis
Published on: March 10, 2020
Single chain precursor prohaptoglobin promotes angiogenesis by upregulating expression of vascular endothelial growth
Mi-Kyung Oh1, Hyo-Jung Park1, Joo-Hyun Lee1
1Department of Medical Lifescience, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea.
Prohaptoglobin (proHp) is processed into mature haptoglobin via site-specific cleavage. Although haptoglobin has been well studied, the functions of proHp remain unclear. We investigated the angiogenic action of proHp in endothelial cells, demonstrating that proHp upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression and endothelial sprouting and branching. ProHp-induced sprouting was attenuated by a VEGFR2 inhibitor. Moreover, proHp was detected in sera of cancer patients by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. These findings indicate that proHp promotes angiogenesis via VEGF/VEGFR2 signalling, and serum proHp level may be a useful biomarker for diseases associated with angiogenesis.
Prohaptoglobin (proHp) is processed into mature haptoglobin via site-specific cleavage. Although haptoglobin has been well studied, the functions of proHp remain unclear. We investigated the angiogenic action of proHp in endothelial cells, demonstrating that proHp upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression and endothelial sprouting and branching. ProHp-induced sprouting was attenuated by a VEGFR2 inhibitor. Moreover, proHp was detected in sera of cancer patients by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. These findings indicate that proHp promotes angiogenesis via VEGF/VEGFR2 signalling, and serum proHp level may be a useful biomarker for diseases associated with angiogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Mechanism of Angiogenesis
TGF - β Signaling Pathway

