活化素受体样激酶1及其在血管生成中的作用

Activin receptor-like kinase 1 and its roles in angiogenesis

血管生成是指新的血管从已存在的毛细血管网生成的过程,受血管生成促进因子和抑制因子的严格调控。通常,血管生成发生于胚胎和出生后早期血管的发育过程中,除女性生理周期和伤口愈合等过程外,在成年阶段血管生成已处于静息状态。但是,在发生某些疾病如肿瘤、糖尿病视网膜病变、心血管疾病及类风湿性关节炎[1-2]时,血管生成过程被异常激活。

Activin receptor-like kinase（ ALK） 1 is a transforming growth factor-β/bone morphogenetic proteins superfamily type I receptor,predominantly expressed in active endothelial cells. ALK1 has been shown to play a pivotal role in regulating angiogenesis,which is involved in vascular formation during embryonic and early postnatal development and angiogenesis-related diseases,such as cardiovascular disorders and tumor. Understanding the exact function of ALK1 in angiogenesis will provide theoretical basis for anti-angiogenic strategy of ALK1 inhibition. In the present study,we briefly recapitulate ALK1 signaling pathway and its role in blood vessel formation and pathological neovascularization.