Pharmacological research : the official journal of the Italian Pharmacological Society
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The growth factor angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) plays an essential role in angiogenesis and vascular homeostasis. Nevertheless, the role of Ang-1 in regulating vascular tone and blood flow is largely unexplored. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the junctional protein VE-cadherin are part of the complex signalling cascade initiated by Ang-1 in endothelial cells. ⋯ Our novel findings report that Ang-1 induces arteriolar vasodilation via release of NO, suggesting that Ang-1 is an important regulator of microvascular tone. As MAT. Ang-1 ameliorates detrimental effects on the microcirculation induced by inhibition of NO synthesis and stabilizes the endothelial barrier function through VE-cadherin, we propose that this Ang-1 variant may serve as a novel therapeutic agent to protect the microcirculation against endothelial dysfunction.