A computational and experimental study to develop E-selectin targeted peptides for molecular imaging applications.

E-selectin is overexpressed on angiogenic and inflamed endothelium. Molecules binding to E-selectin with high affinity and specificity enable its use as a molecular imaging biomarker. The interactions of four different peptides (i.

Endothelial Jagged1 antagonizes Dll4 regulation of endothelial branching and promotes vascular maturation downstream of Dll4/Notch1.

Objective: Notch signaling controls cardiovascular development and has been associated with several pathological conditions. Among its ligands, Jagged1 and Dll4 were shown to have opposing effects in developmental angiogenesis, but the underlying mechanism and the role of Jagged1/Notch signaling in adult angiogenesis remain incompletely understood. The current study addresses the importance of endothelial Jagged1-mediated Notch signaling in the context of adult physiological angiogenesis and the interactions of Jagged1 and Dll4 on angiogenic response and vascular maturation processes.

Low-dosage inhibition of Dll4 signaling promotes wound healing by inducing functional neo-angiogenesis.

Recent findings regarding Dll4 function in physiological and pathological conditions indicate that this Notch ligand may constitute an important therapeutic target. Dll4 appears to be a major anti-angiogenic agent, occupying a central role in various angiogenic pathways. The first trials of anti-Dll4 therapy in mice demonstrated a paradoxical effect, as it reduced tumor perfusion and growth despite leading to an increase in vascular density.