The Angiopoietin ligands and Tie receptors: potential diagnostic biomarkers of vascular disease

Abstract

The Angiopoietin-1 (Angpt1)/Tie2 signaling pathway is important in regulating vascular function. Angpt1-induced Tie2 activation promotes vascular endothelial cell survival and reduces vascular leakage. Angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2), a weak agonist/antagonist of Tie2, opposes and regulates Angpt1 action. The Tie family of receptor tyrosine kinases, Tie2 and Tie1, exist as either homo-or heterodimers. The molecular complex between the receptors is also crucial in controlling Angpt1 signaling; hence, the molecular balance between Angpt1:Angpt2 and Tie2:Tie1 is important in determining endothelial integrity and vascular stability. This review presents evidence of the change observed in the Angiopoietin/Tie molecules in various pathophysiological conditions and discusses the potential clinical applications of these molecules in vascular complications.

Keywords:

• Angiopoietin
• Tie receptor
• endothelial
• vascular disease

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Prof NPJ Brindle for advice over the years in the area of Angiopoietin signaling.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by DMU PhD scholarship 2016 [grant number HLS FB1].