This gene encodes a secreted glycoprotein that belongs to the angiopoietin family. Members of this family play important roles in vascular development and angiogenesis. All angiopoietins bind with similar affinity to an endothelial cell-specific tyrosine-protein kinase receptor. The protein encoded by this gene is a secreted glycoprotein that activates the receptor by inducing its tyrosine phosphorylation. It plays a critical role in mediating reciprocal interactions between the endothelium and surrounding matrix and mesenchyme and inhibits endothelial permeability. The protein also contributes to blood vessel maturation and stability, and may be involved in early development of the heart. Mutations in this gene are associated with hereditary angioedema. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2020]
Forensic Context
A study in mice demonstrated that angiopoietin 1 (Angpt1) mRNA levels were significantly upregulated on days 3, 6, and 12 following skeletal muscle contusion injury, identifying it as a key angiogenic factor involved in the regeneration process. The expression of the ANGPT1 was positively correlated with specific long non-coding RNAs, including Malat1 and H19, which were also upregulated post-injury [Zheng et al. DOI:10.3892/etm.2019.7871]. A study in mice demonstrated that following controlled cortical impact traumatic brain injury, juvenile animals exhibited increased mRNA expression of Angiopoietin-1 in magnetically isolated CD31+ endothelial cells compared to adults, which correlated with enhanced blood-brain barrier stability and reduced lesion volume [Brickler et al. DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0914-18.2018]. Pharmacological inhibition of the Tie2 receptor, which binds the ANGPT1, abolished these juvenile protective effects, significantly increasing barrier disruption and lesion size.