Murga, MatildeFernandez-Capetillo, OscarTosato, Giovanna2024-02-092024-02-092005-03-01Blood . 2005 ;105(5):1992-9.0006-4971http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/17799Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a type 1 membrane protein that binds the axon guidance factors belonging to the class-3 semaforin family. In endothelial cells, NRP-1 serves as a co-receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and regulates VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2)-dependent angiogenesis. Although gene-targeting studies documenting embryonic lethality in NRP-1 null mice have demonstrated a critical role for NRP-1 in vascular development, the activities of NRP-1 in mature endothelial cells have been incompletely defined. Using RNA interference-mediated silencing of NRP-1 or VEGFR-2 in primary human endothelial cells, we confirm that NRP-1 modulates VEGFR-2 signaling-dependent mitogenic functions of VEGF. Importantly, we now show that NRP-1 regulates endothelial cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins independently of VEGFR-2. Based on its dual role as an enhancer of VEGF activity and a mediator of endothelial cell adhesiveness described here, NRP-1 emerges as a promising molecular target for the development of antiangiogenic drugs.engVoRhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Neovascularization, PhysiologicCell AdhesionCell MovementCell ProliferationEndothelium, VascularExtracellular Matrix ProteinsHumansNeuropilin-1RNA, Small InterferingReceptors, CXCR4Umbilical VeinsVascular Endothelial Growth Factor AVascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional155229551055199210.1182/blood-2004-07-2598Bloodopen access