Angiopoietin

Angiopoietin is part of a family of vascular endothelial growth factors that play a role in embryonic and postnatal angiogenesis. Angiopoietin signaling most directly corresponds with angiogenesis.

Angiopoietin cytokines are involved with controlling microvascular permeability, vasodilation, and vasoconstriction by signaling smooth muscle cells surrounding vessels.

Angiopoietins play a pivotal role in tumor angiogenesis by modulating vascular endothelial proliferation and survival. The expression of angiopoietin 1 and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-1 and Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been documented in human malignant glioma.