ENG adenovirus

The ENG gene, also known as endoglin, encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a key role in the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. This gene is primarily expressed in vascular endothelial cells and is crucial for angiogenesis, vascular development, and maintaining vascular integrity. Endoglin acts as a coreceptor for TGF-β ligands, regulating cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix production. Mutations in the ENG gene are associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a disease characterized by abnormal blood vessel formation. Due to its critical role in vascular biology, the ENG gene has become a research target for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and tissue engineering.

ENG adenovirus is a recombinant adenoviral vector designed to deliver the ENG gene to target cells for gene therapy or research applications. Adenoviruses are widely used as gene delivery vehicles due to their high transduction efficiency, broad tropism, and ability to infect both dividing and non-dividing cells. ENG adenoviruses are able to specifically promote overexpression of endoglin in endothelial cells, making them valuable tools for studying vascular biology, angiogenesis, and potential therapeutic interventions for diseases such as high-density lipoprotein (HHT) or ischemic disease. These vectors are typically replication-defective, ensuring safety by preventing uncontrolled viral replication.