The Angiogenic Factor Secretoneurin Induces Coronary Angiogenesis in a Model of Myocardial Infarction by Stimulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling in Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Our data show that secretoneurin acts as an endogenous stimulator of VEGF signaling in coronary endothelial cells by enhancing binding of VEGF to low-affinity binding sites and neuropilin-1 and stimulates further growth factor receptors like fibroblast growth factor receptor-3. Our in vivo findings indicate that secretoneurin may be a promising therapeutic tool in ischemic heart disease.