title: Proteolytic balance and capillary morphogenesis.
abstract: Angiogenesis is the process by which new capillary blood vessels are formed from preexisting vessels. A number of components of this morphogenetic process, including endothelial cell invasion and capillary lumen formation, are believed to be dependent on tightly controlled proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix. The critical importance of an appropriate balance between proteases and protease inhibitors in these processes is suggested by two sets of observations. Firstly, that extracellular matrix invasion and capillary lumen formation are inhibited in the presence of an excess of protease inhibitors. Secondly, that when unchecked by protease inhibitors, excessive proteolysis is incompatible with normal capillary morphogenesis. These results clearly suggest that a precisely regulated proteolytic balance is necessary for normal capillary morphogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, University Medical Center, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pepper
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Montesano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007611:Aprotinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002196:Capillaries / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000378:metabolism; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014638:Vanadates / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D014638:Vanadates; D007611:Aprotinin; D010450:Endopeptidases; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D005341:Fibrinolysin; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate