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Author Spotlight: Investigating Angiogenesis and Vessel Permeability Through a Modified Matrix Gel Plug Assay
Published on: June 30, 2023
Angiopoietins: multifaceted mediators in the pathogenesis of joint-related disorders
Ruifeng Song1, Zhebing Cheng1, Zuping Wu1
1Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China.
Abstract:
Joint-related diseases often involve multiple aspects of angiogenesis, alterations in the extracellular matrix (ECM), and inflammatory responses, causing pain and mobility problems for patients. Angiopoietins (Angs) are a protein family of secreted growth factors that have a variety of functions, including regulating angiogenesis, stabilizing blood vessels, and mediating changes in the ECM. The first Ang was discovered by Davis in COS cells, and since then, three more members of this protein family have been discovered. Among these four members, Ang-1 and Ang-2 play the most essential roles in joint diseases and are closely related to each other as ligands for the Tie-2 receptor. Ang-1 acts as an agonist at the Tie-2 receptor, while Ang-2 can act as either an agonist or antagonist of Tie-2 under specific conditions. This review describes the structure and general physiological functions of Angs and summarizes the role of Angs in joint-related diseases. It concludes with possible Ang-based therapeutic strategies.
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