A role for axon guidance receptors and ligands in blood vessel development and tumor angiogenesis

Nerves and blood vessels resemble each other in their ability to form branching networks. They are in close proximity suggesting possible molecular interactions. The patterning of nerves and blood vessels are not random but are regulated by attractive and repulsive cues. Four major neuronal guidance factors that are sensed by growth cones have been identified, Semaphorin, Ephrin, Slit and Netrin, and their cognate receptors, neuropilin, Eph, roundabouts (Robo) and uncoordinated-5 (UNC5). Unexpectedly, these ligand/receptor pairs also regulate developmental and tumor angiogenesis. Together, there is strong evidence that development of the nervous and vascular systems are regulated by common cues.