A review on pro- and anti-angiogenic factors as targets of clinical intervention.
Angiogenesis plays an important role in physiology and pathology. It is a tightly regulated process, influenced by the microenvironment and modulated by a multitude of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. A thorough understanding of the angiogenic process may lead to novel therapies to target ischemic vascular diseases as well as diseases characterised by excessive angiogenesis such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or tumours. This review gives an overview of the (groups of) factors involved in different steps of the angiogenic process, divided into factors affecting endothelial proliferation and migration and factors affecting blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and the degradation of basement membranes and the extra-cellular matrix, with a specific emphasis on angiopoietins and their related growth factors. The therapeutic implications of these factors are discussed.
Bouïs
Diane
D
Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
Kusumanto
Yoka
Y
Meijer
Coby
C
Mulder
Nanno H
NH
Hospers
Geke A P
GA
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors