Ephrin-B2 and Ephrin-B3 (EFNB2/EFNB3)

Ephrin-B2 and Ephrin-B3 are transmembrane proteins belonging to the ephrin family that interact with Eph receptor tyrosine kinases to mediate bidirectional signaling. Although primarily characterized as ligands, they act as functional receptors in reverse signaling pathways and serve as the critical entry receptors for highly pathogenic henipaviruses, including Nipah and Hendra viruses. They play essential roles in physiological processes such as angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, axon guidance, and bone remodeling. In the context of disease, their overexpression is linked to tumor progression, pathological vascularization, and metastasis in various cancers, including glioblastoma and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Therapeutic interventions targeting these molecules, such as the soluble decoy receptor sEphB4-HSA and neutralizing antibodies, are being developed to treat viral infections and inhibit tumor growth by disrupting Eph-ephrin interactions.

Other names

EFNB2EFNB3LERK5HTKLHtk-LEPLG5EFL6LERK8SEMA LephrinB2/B3 receptors

Competitive inhibition of viral attachment to host cells; blockade of Eph-ephrin bidirectional signaling to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and modulate the immune microenvironment.