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Blood vessels adapt to loss of a key growth signal

A study finds endothelial cells can form new vessels without VEGF–VEGFR2 signalling, with implications for understanding how tumours may resist treatments that block the pathway.

Written by AI from 2 sources

Photo: Medical Xpress

  • Endothelial cells survived, multiplied and helped form new blood vessels without VEGF–VEGFR2 signalling, challenging the view that the pathway is essential for angiogenesis. describes cells adapting to loss of VEGFR2 and forming functional vessels. NatureMedical Xpress

  • Venousization, in which cells acquired genetic features of venous endothelial cells, helped them recover and contribute to the vascular network. VEGFR1 and VEGFR3 also supported some cell survival and migration. Medical Xpress

  • Tumour treatment: the researchers say the findings may help explain resistance to therapies targeting VEGF–VEGFR2 and point to possible targets for combination treatments. Medical Xpress