Background: Syndecans are a distinct family of type-I transmembrane proteoglycan and facilitate growth factor signaling, including that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) in endothelial cells. VEFG plays a significant role in regulating vascular permeability in inflammation and tissue injury. The proteoglycan Syndecan-2 (Sdc2) controls VEGFA-induced vascular permeability.

We have shown that Scd2 deletion (global and/or endothelialspecific) result in marked angiogenic and arteriogenic defects and impaired VEGFA165 signaling. We traced this to a core protein sequence of 59 a.a. in the N-terminal domain of Scd2.

Administering a syndecan-2 disrupting agent may be used to treat cardiovascular, neurologic diseases and retinopathy.

Innovator: Michael Simons, M.D.

References: Corti et al, Nature Comm 2019

IP status: PRV application filed