Regulation of Angiogenesis by Eph–Ephrin Interactions

The large families of Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands transduce signals in a cell-cell contact-dependent fashion and thereby coordinate the growth, differentiation, and patterning of almost every organ and tissue. Eph–ephrin interactions can trigger a wide array of cellular responses, including cell adhesion, boundary formation, and repulsion. The exact mechanisms leading to this diversity of responses are unclear but appear to involve differential signaling, proteolytic cleavage of ephrins, and endocytosis of the ligand–receptor complex. In the developing cardiovascular system, Eph and ephrin molecules control the angiogenic remodeling of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels and play essential roles in endothelial cells as well as in supporting pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells. Recent evidence suggests that Ephs and ephrins may also be involved in pathological angiogenesis, in particular, the neovascularization of tumors. Consequently, the expression, interactions, or signaling of Eph–ephrin molecules might be targets for future therapeutic approaches.