We have in recent years described several endothelial-specific genes that mediate cell migration. These include Robo4 (roundabout 4), CLEC14A (C-type lectin 14A) and ECSCR (endothelial cell-specific chemotaxis regulator) [formerly known as ECSM2 (endothelial cell-specific molecule 2)]. Loss of laminar shear stress induces Robo4 and CLEC14A expression and an endothelial ‘tip cell’ phenotype. Low shear stress is found not only at sites of vascular occlusion such as thrombosis and embolism, but also in the poorly structured vessels that populate solid tumours. The latter probably accounts for strong expression of Robo4 and CLEC14A on tumour vessels. The function of Robo4 has, in the past, aroused controversy. However, the recent identification of Unc5B as a Robo4 ligand has increased our understanding and we hypothesize that Robo4 function is context-dependent. ECSCR is another endothelial-specific protein that promotes filopodia formation and migration, but, in this case, expression is independent of shear stress. We discuss recent papers describing ECSCR, including intracellular signalling pathways, and briefly contrast these with signalling by Robo4.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
December 2011
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Conference Article|
November 21 2011
Shear stress, tip cells and regulators of endothelial migration
Xiaodong Zhuang;
Xiaodong Zhuang
1
*Angiogenesis Group, Institute for Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Darren Cross;
Darren Cross
†AstraZeneca plc, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4TG, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Victoria L. Heath;
Victoria L. Heath
*Angiogenesis Group, Institute for Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Roy Bicknell
*Angiogenesis Group, Institute for Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K.
2To whom correspondence should be addressed (email r.bicknell@bham.ac.uk).
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
September 23 2011
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2011 Biochemical Society
2011
Biochem Soc Trans (2011) 39 (6): 1571–1575.
Article history
Received:
September 23 2011
Citation
Xiaodong Zhuang, Darren Cross, Victoria L. Heath, Roy Bicknell; Shear stress, tip cells and regulators of endothelial migration. Biochem Soc Trans 1 December 2011; 39 (6): 1571–1575. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20110746
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.