Vasorin Background Information Vasorin (SLITL2, slit-like 2 (Drosophila)) is a secreted type I membrane protein that participates in vertebrate axis patterning, axon guidance, and vessel development. Vasorin contains tandem leucine-rich repeats, an EGF-like motif, and a fibronectin type III-like motif in the extracellular domain. Vasorin transcripts appear in aorta, with moderate expression in kidney and placenta. Vasorin directly binds to transforming growth factor (TGF)-∫ and attenuates TGF-∫ signaling in vitro. Down-regulation of vasorin expression contributes to neointimal formation after vascular injury and this mechanism modulates response to pathological stimuli in vessel walls. Subsequently, vasorin is a potential therapeutic target for vascular fibroproliferative disorders.
