血管生成素与妊娠

Angiopoietins and Pregnancy

血管生成素(Angs)是一类新发现的促血管生成因子,具有调节血管生成、退化及血管稳定性的作用,参与胚胎血管的发育、肿瘤血管的生成及转移等过程。目前研究较多的是Ang-1和Ang-2,二者结构相似而功能各异,共同受体为酪氨酸激酶-2受体(Tie-2)。Angs及其受体存在于胎盘组织及胎儿体内,在妊娠整个过程中均可表达,对于妊娠全过程起重要作用。妊娠疾病中Angs/Tie系统基因表达失控,可能与子痫前期、胎儿生长受限等妊娠疾病的发病过程有关,深入研究Angs在妊娠疾病中的作用,将为临床上妊娠疾病的诊断和治疗提供重要的理论依据。

The angiopoietins （Angs） are a novel family of newly-discovered angiogenic factors which regulateangiogenesis, degeneration and vessel stabilization. The Angs participate in the development of embryonic blood vessels, as well as the angiogenesis and metastasis of tumors. The present review focuses on the latest findings about angiopoietin-1 and -2. While the proteins are similar in structure, and were identified as a group of ligands for the tyrosine kinase Tie-2 receptor, they have different functions. Angiopoietins and their receptor reside in both the placenta and fetus. Since angiopoietins are expressed throughout human gestation, it suggested that may play a pivotal role during pregnancy. Moreover, an association between eclampsia and fetal growth restriction and loss of Angs and the Tie gene expression has been observed. Therefore, the expression of angiopoietins during pregnancy may represent a novel method for diagnosing and potential targets for treatment of pregnancy-related diseases.