Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1930185 | Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications | 2011 | 5 Pages |
Neuritin (NRN1), a neurotrophic factor, plays an important role in neurite growth and neuronal survival. In this study, we identify a new function of neuritin as a novel angiogenic factor in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant neuritin protein had no effect on the proliferation and adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), but it dose-dependently increased endothelial cell migration. Furthermore, overexpression of neuritin significantly promoted tumor angiogenesis, and surprisingly, it inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft tumor model. Thus, our results indicate that neuritin may act as an important angiogenic factor and serve as a potential target for cancer therapy.
► Neuritin protein has no effect on the endothelial cell proliferation and adhesion. ► Neuritin protein increases endothelial cell migration. >Neuritin does not increase tumor cell proliferation in vitro. ► Overexpression of neuritin induces tumor angiogenesis. >Overexpression of neuritin inhibits tumorigenesis.