Neuropilin is a mediator of angiogenesis

Neuropilin is both a receptor for semaphorins, which are mediators of neuro nal guidance, and for VEGF, an angiogenesis factor. While the function of n europilin in the nervous system has been characterized, its role in angioge nesis is only beginning to be elucidated. This article reviews some of the structural and functional features of neuropilin and presents the experimen tal evidence showing that it is a mediator of angiogenesis. In particular, we show that neuropilin and its soluble isoforms regulate tumor angiogenesi s and subsequent tumor growth.