title: Macrophages and angiogenesis in rheumatic diseases.
abstract: Angiogenesis plays a key role in several rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vasculitides. An imbalance between angiogenic inducers and inhibitors seems to be a critical factor in pathogenesis of these diseases. Macrophages promote angiogenesis during rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, macrophages can produce a variety of pro-angiogenic factors that have been associated with the angiogenic response occurring during other rheumatic diseases. Lastly, macrophages could be a target in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to better elucidate the exact role of macrophage in angiogenesis in these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, Policlinico, 70124, Bari, Italy. domenico.ribatti@uniba.it.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maruotti
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Annese
authors.forename: Francesco Paolo
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Cantatore
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribatti