Figure 1. LEENE induces angiogenesis in peripheral arterial disease.

Metabolic disruption, such that which occurs in diabetes, often results in impaired angiogenesis, and patients with diabetes have increased risk for limb ischemia. LEENE is downregulated by hyperglycemia and inflammation and upregulated by hypoxia. Loss of LEENE decreases angiogenesis and increases ischemic recovery time. In contrast, increasing LEENE levels improves these defects despite diabetic conditions, providing a target for peripheral arterial disease.