How Lrg1 regulates abnormal blood vessel growth

The role of Lrg1 as a modulator of VEGF signalling in vascular endothelial cells

Professors Stephen Moss and John Greenwood from University College London are interested in the growth of new blood vessels (a process called angiogenesis). This growth is an important repair process in the body. However, inappropriate growth of new vessels is responsible for a wide range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and eye diseases. Understanding more about the factors that control vessel growth is central to developing new treatments to control potentially dangerous overgrowth. The researchers are focusing on a protein called Lrg1 which is produced in very high levels in abnormal vessels and is thought to cause blood vessel cells to grow. They will also look at the effects of Lrg1 on the activity of another important protein that controls vessel growth called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Understanding more about the effects of Lrg1 on the circulatory system will help identify new ways to control vessel growth and treat a potentially wide range of diseases.