nyangiogenese

Angiogenesis is the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing ones. This vital process is fundamental for growth and development, as well as for wound healing and the formation of granulation tissue. In healthy adults, angiogenesis is typically a dormant process, but it can be reactivated in specific situations.

The process is tightly regulated by a balance of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. Key pro-angiogenic molecules include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). These factors stimulate endothelial cells, the cells that line blood vessels, to proliferate, migrate, and form new tubular structures. The recruitment of pericytes, cells that surround and support blood vessels, is also crucial for the maturation and stabilization of newly formed vessels.

Dysregulation of angiogenesis is implicated in a wide range of diseases. In cancer, tumors require angiogenesis to grow beyond a small size, as it provides them with the oxygen and nutrients necessary for proliferation and metastasis. Conversely, insufficient angiogenesis can contribute to conditions like peripheral artery disease and myocardial infarction, where poor blood supply impairs tissue function. Therapeutic strategies targeting angiogenesis are therefore being explored for both the inhibition of tumor growth and the promotion of blood vessel formation in ischemic diseases.