Wnt pathway implicated in angiogenesis

Findings published in the January 20 issue of Developmental Cell suggests that a network of proteins - called the Wnt pathway - controls  the stability of newly-formed blood vessels. This determines whether or  not they will survive to feed growing tissues with vital nutrients from  the blood.

Blocking the pathway interferes with a crucial survival switch for  newly-formed blood vessels, which could help in the development of drugs  that not only stop new vessels from growing, but to dismantle existing  ones in growing tumors, creating a two-pronged mode of  anti-angiogenesis.

A team led by Holger Gerhardt, based at Cancer Research UK's London  Research Institute, studied the effects of mice deficient in a protein  called Nrarp. They discovered it was crucial for maintaining the  connective arms of newly-formed blood vessels. This study shows for the  first time that Nrarp functions within the blood vessels themselves  rather than surrounding cells, by supporting the Wnt pathway to control  survival.