Fibulin-5 Regulates Angiopoietin-1/Tie-2 Receptor Signaling in Endothelial Cells

Fibulins are a family of extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins characterized by tandem arrays of calcium binding EGF-like domains and a C-terminal domain known as the fibulin-like module. They are widely expressed, associated with basement membranes and elastic fibers, and play major roles in the assembly, stabilization, and organization of larger ECM proteins. Fibulins are divided into general subgroups based on their size—long or short. Long fibulins include Fibulin-1, -2, and -6. Short fibulins include Fibulin-3, -4, and -5. They are highly homologous to one another and have been associated with a variety of phenotypes related to elastic fiber pathologies. Several studies have confirmed the importance of fibulins in tumorigenesis, vasculogenesis, and embryonic organ development