Transcription factors and angiogenesis.

Various strategies led to the identification of transcription factors that take part to the control of different steps during the formation of new blo od vessels : the description of the expression pattern of genes encoding th ese factors during embryonic development for ETS-1, ERG and FLI, SCL/TAL, G ATA1 and 2, the description of the phenotype of embryos obtained after gene inactivation by homologous recombination for ARNT or LKLF, and the study o f transcriptional regulation in cultured endothelial cells for EGR1 or HOX- D3. Altogether, these results showed that there is no transcription factor specific for endothelial cells or for one step in the formation of blood ve ssels. Rather, factors controlling gene expression induced by hypoxia, shea r-stress or growth factors take part in the morphogenesis of the vascular t ree. The study of these factors may allow to identify potential therapeutic targets for treatments aimed at inhibiting or stimulating the development of new blood vessels.