Angiogeneesinen

Angiogeneesinen refers to the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing ones. This complex process is tightly regulated and is essential for growth, development, and tissue repair. In healthy adults, angiogenesis is typically a slow and controlled process, occurring in situations like wound healing, the menstrual cycle, and adaptation to high altitudes.

The key players in angiogenesis are endothelial cells, the cells that line blood vessels. When tissues require more oxygen or nutrients, or when they are injured, signaling molecules called growth factors are released. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a primary example. These growth factors stimulate endothelial cells to proliferate, migrate, and form a new lumen, which is the hollow space within the vessel. The process involves several stages, including the activation of existing capillaries, sprouting of new vessels, and their subsequent maturation and remodeling into a functional vascular network.

Dysregulation of angiogenesis is implicated in a variety of diseases. Excessive or uncontrolled angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer, where tumors recruit new blood vessels to grow and metastasize. Conversely, insufficient angiogenesis can lead to conditions like critical limb ischemia, where poor blood supply causes pain and tissue damage, or diabetic retinopathy, which affects vision due to inadequate blood vessel growth in the retina. Therapeutic strategies are being developed to either inhibit pathological angiogenesis in diseases like cancer or promote it in conditions where blood supply is compromised.