TEK and atherosclerosis: Interestingly, the expression of Tie receptors including Tie1 and Tie2 are lower in SVEP1 deficient mice [32] and Tie2 functions as an endothelial angiopoietin receptor that protects from atherosclerosis [35], raising the possibility that SVEP1 may modulate the Ang-Tie system in endothelial cells which could impact the development of atherosclerosis.