Studying the steps and signals required for the growth of new blood vessels

VEGF-dependent angiogenesis requires activation of specific isoforms of the ETS transcription factor ERG

The growth of new blood vessels is called angiogenesis. Research efforts are going on around the world to understand how we can stop or promote angiogenesis for human health. For example, stopping angiogenesis is important in cancer treatments, but promoting angiogenesis could help prevent a heart attack. These researchers are investigating some of the signals and steps required to initiate new blood vessel formation. The team have found that a protein called ERG regulates angiogenesis by switching certain genes on or off. They’ve shown that, in the endothelial cells that line blood vessels, ERG is present in different forms, called isoforms, which control different cell behaviours. Now they want to identify how these differences in their effects arise. They will search for the genes that are controlled by each ERG isoform, in response to signals that normally stimulate angiogenesis. During the project they hope to uncover, in mice, which ERG isoforms are the most important in regulating blood vessel growth, and why. This may reveal more clues as to how we might harness and control angiogenesis in treatments for a range of serious diseases.