|
|
CGEN-25017
Angiopoietins are naturally occurring secreted angiogenic factors. The human angiopoietin family comprises the ligands Ang1, Ang2, and Ang4. Their receptor, Tie2, which belongs to the family of tyrosine kinase receptors, is almost exclusively expressed by endothelial cells and hematopoietic stem cells. Modulation of Tie2 activity by angiopoietins is crucial for angiogenesis, blood vessel maturation, and vascular endothelium integrity. Using Compugen’s DAC blockers platform (Kliger et al., 2009), we have identified novel peptides with potent anti-angiogenic activity that are related to angiopietins. The potential anti-angiogenic activity of the peptides was initially verified in a multicellular in-vitro model of angiogenesis, in which they were found to strongly inhibit tubule formation. Subsequent in-ovo experiments using the avian chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model of angiogenesis further substantiated the anti-angiogenic activity of the peptides. In a disease model of oxygen-induced retinopathy CGEN-25017 revealed profound anti-angiogenic activity and indicated an additive effect in combination with a VEGF inhibitor. |
|