Abstract
Angiogenesis is a process by which new blood vessels are formed from preexisting ones, and it is regulated by the balance between angiogenic factors and angiogenesis-inhibiting factors. Certain growth factors have been found to be angiogenic, and when endothelial cells are exposed to these angiogenic factors, they degrade the basement membrane, migrate into the interstitial space, proliferate, and organize tube structures. Pericytes activate latent transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in combination with endothelial cells, and TGF-β modulates the process of angiogenesis. Studies of this process of angiogenesis have led to the development of several drugs to inhibit angiogenesis; these drugs are in clinical trials and are anticipated to be available clinically in the near future.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 425-428 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Folia Ophthalmologica Japonica |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 1997 Apr |
Keywords
- Angiogenesis
- ETS-1
- Pericyte
- Protease
- Transforming Growth Factor-β