The role of RYK and Eph receptors in developmental and tumour angiogenesis

血管的形成（血管生成）是胚胎发育、伤口愈合、肿瘤形成-转移和缺血肢体血管重建的关键过程。控制这一过程的分子正在慢慢地被描述出来。一般都属于一类叫做生长因子的分子及其相关受体存在于细胞表面。这些分子可以控制体内特定血管的数量、位置和功能。最近，我们发现了一个叫做血管内皮生长因子的生长因子家族的新成员，并证明了它们促进血液和淋巴管生长的能力。在这项研究中，我们开始研究另一个生长因子受体家族，称为RYK（我们在美国和澳大利亚获得了专利）在血管生成中的作用。小鼠功能实验表明，RYK可以与Eph受体家族相关，Eph受体在血管发育和损伤期间的重塑中起关键作用。研究这些分子可以告诉我们，为什么血管知道在身体的正确位置，为什么在某些疾病中，我们看到的血管结构或位置不正确。这些研究将形成知识的基础，开发合理的手段来操纵血管的形成在体内，使用非手术的方法。这项工作也将应用于腭裂、颅面异常和轴突寻路等领域。

The formation of blood vessels (angiogenesis) is a key process in development of the embryo, wound healing, tumour formation-metastases and in the re-vascularisation of ischeamic limbs. The molecules which control these processess are slowly being characterised. In general belong to a family of molecules called growth factors and theri associated receptor present on the surface of a cell. These molecules can control the number, location and function of specific blood vessels within the body. Recently we have discoverd new members of a family of growth fcators called vascular endothelial growth factors, and demonstrated their ability to promote the growth of blood and lymphatic vessels. In this study we set out to examine the role of another family of growth factor receptors, called RYK (for which we have a granted patent in the USA and Australia) in angiogenesis. functional experiments in mice have demonstrated that RYK can associated with a family of receptors called Eph receptors which play a key role in the remodelling of blood vessels during development and injury. Studying these molecules may tell us why blood vessels know' to be in the correct locations in the body and why in certain disease we see vessels of incorrect structure or location. These studies will form a basis of knowledge to develop rational means to manipulate blood vessel formation in the body, using non-surgical methods. The work will also have application to the areas of cleft palate, craniofacial abnormalities and axon pathfinding.