Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels. It supports tissue growth and repair, but can also sustain tumors and other diseases.

Vascular endothelial growth factor: A family of signaling proteins that promotes blood-vessel growth and increases vascular permeability. VEGF is a central signal that activates endothelial cells during sprouting.
Wound healing: The biological process through which damaged tissue is repaired and its function restored. New vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to healing tissue.
Vasculogenesis: The formation of blood vessels from precursor cells rather than from existing vessels. Unlike angiogenesis, vasculogenesis builds vessels without sprouting from an established network.
Judah Folkman: An American surgeon who established tumor angiogenesis as a major research concept and therapeutic target. Folkman argued that tumors depend on the growth of their blood supply.
Endothelial cell: A cell that lines the interior surface of blood and lymphatic vessels. Endothelial cells migrate and divide to build new vessel sprouts.
Tumor angiogenesis: The formation of blood vessels that support the growth and spread of a tumor. Tumors can induce vessel growth to obtain nutrients and oxygen.
Arteriogenesis: The enlargement and remodeling of pre-existing small arteries into larger collateral vessels. Arteriogenesis enlarges existing routes, whereas angiogenesis creates new capillary branches.
Tumor angiogenesis hypothesis: The proposal that tumor growth depends on inducing new blood vessels to supply the tumor. This hypothesis made angiogenesis a central question in cancer research.
Tip cell: A specialized endothelial cell that leads a growing vascular sprout by sensing guidance cues. Tip cells steer sprouts toward angiogenic signals.
Angiogenesis inhibitor: A substance that reduces the formation of new blood vessels. Inhibitors target vessel growth as a strategy against cancer and eye disease.

Linked from 25 pages