TAK1 signaling is a potential therapeutic target for pathological angiogenesis

Abstract

Angiogenesis plays a critical role in both physiological responses and disease pathogenesis. Excessive angiogenesis can promote neoplastic diseases and retinopathies, while inadequate angiogenesis can lead to aberrant perfusion and impaired wound healing. Transforming growth factor β activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase family, is a key modulator involved in a range of cellular functions including the immune responses, cell survival and death. TAK1 is activated in response to various stimuli such as proinflammatory cytokines, hypoxia, and oxidative stress. Emerging evidence has recently suggested that TAK1 is intimately involved in angioge..