Molecular mechanisms of blood vessel formation

Trends Biochem Sci. 1997 Jul;22(7):251-6. doi: 10.1016/s0968-0004(97)01074-8.

Abstract

The formation of new blood vessels, angiogenesis, is a tightly regulated process. Extracellular angiogenic inducers stimulate the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells, while negative regulators counteract this effect. Changes in the relative balance of inducers and inhibitors activate the 'angiogenic switch', before stabilizer molecules activate the maturation of nascent blood vessels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiostatins
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / chemistry
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / physiology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / chemistry
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Lymphokines / chemistry
  • Lymphokines / physiology
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic* / physiology
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Plasminogen
  • Protein Sorting Signals
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Lymphokines
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Protein Sorting Signals
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Angiostatins
  • Plasminogen