Actions of the Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor Amblyomin-X on VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis

► Amblyomin-X is a kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor designed from the cDNA library of the Amblyomma cajennense tick. ► It inhibits VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis in the subcutaneous tissue of mice and in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane. ► The mechanism involves impairment on VEGF-A-induced endothelial cell proliferation and adhesions properties. ► Inhibition on VEGF-A-induced PECAM-1 endothelial membrane expression may be responsible for the reduced cell adhesion.