Endothelial cell surface vimentin binding peptide induces angiogenesis under hypoxic/ischemic conditions

► Novel peptide of 12 amino acids binds to endothelial cell surface receptor identified as vimentin. ► Binding of the peptide to vimentin triggers endothelial cell tube formation under hypoxic conditions. ► Local administration of the peptide to mouse hind limb ischemia model improves blood perfusion and induced increase in capillary density.