An Overview of Angiogenesis and Chemical and Physiological Angiogenic Factors: Short Review

Abstract

Angiogenesis refers to the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones, which can occur in both physiologic and pathologic conditions. Lack of tissue oxygen is the main stimulator of angiogenesis accompanied by increasing in HIF-1α-(hypoxia-inducible factor-1α) expression as a nuclear transcription factor. Other factors such as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor2), and TGF (transforming growth factor) are involved in angiogenesis, too. To control diabetes and tumoral disease, abnormal angiogenesis inhibition can be useful besides stimulation that can be helpful in cardiovascular disease. In this study, we have reviewed the mechanisms and stimulators of angiogenesis and its influential factors. The most important angiogenic factors are MMP, Ang, FGF, and VEGF. Ang is not directly involved in the process of angiogenesis but sometimes destabilize the arteries. In contrast to angiostatin, endostatin TIMP and TSP1 act as the most important angiostatic factors. Many attempts have been made to identify the mechanisms and factors involved in this process but angiogenic inhibitors that inhibit the growth of cancerous masses or tumors in the body have not yet been adequately investigated