angiogenes

Angiogenes, typically called angiogenesis in English, is the biological process by which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vasculature. It is essential for embryonic development, placental growth, and wound healing, and it also contributes to normal reproductive cycles. When dysregulated, angiogenes can support pathological conditions such as cancer, retinal diseases, and chronic inflammation.

The process is driven by a coordinated cascade of signals. Hypoxia or tissue demand upregulates pro-angiogenic factors, especially vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which binds receptors on endothelial cells to initiate activation. Endothelial cells secrete proteases to degrade the basement membrane, migrate toward angiogenic cues, and proliferate to form capillary sprouts. These sprouts connect to establish new lumens, after which mural cells such as pericytes and smooth muscle cells stabilize and mature the vessels. Notch signaling, angiopoietins, and other pathways regulate sprouting, branching, and stabilization. Anti-angiogenic factors, including endostatin and thrombospondin, help balance the response.

There are physiological forms, such as sprouting angiogenesis and, less commonly discussed, intussusceptive angiogenesis, which involves splitting existing vessels. In disease, angiogenes can promote tumor growth, contribute to diabetic retinopathy, and drive ocular neovascularization; conversely, therapies that inhibit VEGF signaling or endothelial proliferation aim to limit pathological vessel formation, while pro-angiogenic approaches are explored to improve perfusion in ischemic tissues.