CD146: The unveiling of a pro-angiogenic netrin receptor

Abstract

Netrin-1, a classic neuronal guidance cue, can promote angiogenesis under certain developmental and pathological conditions, but key receptors on vascular endothelium have remained elusive. A recent study published in Cell Research by Tu et al. reveals that CD146, an endothelial receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, binds netrin-1 with high affinity and may play an important role in regulating angiogenesis.