SPARC is a multifunctional glycoprotein that belongs to the matricellular group of proteins. It
modulates cellular interaction with the extracellular matrix (ECM) by its binding to structural …

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in
the Western world with limited therapeutic options and dismal long-term survival. The …

Angiogenesis is required in normal physiological processes, but is also involved in tumor
growth, progression and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a primary …

During carcinogenesis of pancreatic islets in transgenic mice, an angiogenic switch
activates the quiescent vasculature. Paradoxically, vascular endothelial growth factor …

Adipose tissue can undergo rapid expansion during times of excess caloric intake. Like a
rapidly expanding tumor mass, obese adipose tissue becomes hypoxic due to the inability of …

Obese fat pads are frequently undervascularized and hypoxic, leading to increased fibrosis,
inflammation, and ultimately insulin resistance. We hypothesized that VEGF-A–induced …

Disruption of the precise balance of positive and negative molecular regulators of blood and
lymphatic vessel growth can lead to myriad diseases. Although dozens of natural inhibitors …

Blood vessel endothelium has been recently shown to induce endocrine pancreatic
development [1]. Because pancreatic endocrine cells or islets express high levels of …

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional angiogenic growth factor that
is a primary stimulant of the development and maintenance of a vascular network in …

The Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligands, known as ephrins, play a
crucial role in vascular development during embryogenesis. The function of these molecules …