Role of the endothelial receptor neuropilin-1 in the modulation of VEGF effects in the vascular system

Introduction: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibits apoptosis in vascular endohelial cells (EC) via VEGF-R2, JNK and Akt by regulating poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP), as we have previously demonstrated. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of neuropilin-1 (NP-1), a coreceptor of VEGF-R2, on VEGF effects during apoptosis induction in EC cultures and in an animal model of endothelial apoptosis.