vascularisation

These are processes in which vascularisation happens and should not be confused with vascularisation itself:

{{main|Angiogenesis}}

It is the process where new blood vessels form from pre-existing ones. This happens naturally when the body needs to repair tissue or when a wound needs to heal. It is driven by signals from growth factors, such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which prompts the formation of new vessels. However, this process can occasionally go wrong in tumour formation where it allows the tumours to create their own blood supply and grow larger, which can contribute to diseases like cancer.{{Cite journal |last=Carmeliet |first=Peter |date=December 2005 |title=Angiogenesis in life, disease and medicine |url=https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04478 |journal=Nature |volume=438 |issue=7070 |pages=932–936 |doi=10.1038/nature04478 |pmid=16355210 |bibcode=2005Natur.438..932C |issn=0028-0836|url-access=subscription }}

{{main|Vasculogenesis}}

This is the creation of blood vessels during early development particularly in embryos. Blood vessels start to form from special cells known as endothelial progenitor cells. While this process mostly happens during embryonic development, it can also occur in adults when the body needs to repair damaged blood vessels or grow new ones after an injury occurs.{{Cite journal |last1=Asahara |first1=Takayuki |last2=Murohara |first2=Toyoaki |last3=Sullivan |first3=Alison |last4=Silver |first4=Marcy |last5=van der Zee |first5=Rien |last6=Li |first6=Tong |last7=Witzenbichler |first7=Bernhard |last8=Schatteman |first8=Gina |last9=Isner |first9=Jeffrey M. |date=1997-02-14 |title=Isolation of Putative Progenitor Endothelial Cells for Angiogenesis |url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.275.5302.964 |journal=Science |language=en |volume=275 |issue=5302 |pages=964–966 |doi=10.1126/science.275.5302.964 |pmid=9020076 |issn=0036-8075|url-access=subscription }}

{{main|Arteriogenesis}}

This is a process where smaller and less efficient blood vessels become enlarged into fully functioning arteries. This usually happens in response to increased demand in the body such as during exercise or when blood vessels are blocked. This aids in ensuring that tissues are supplied with enough blood and oxygen.{{Cite journal |last1=Cai |first1=Weijun |last2=Schaper |first2=Wolfgang |date=2008-08-01 |title=Mechanisms of arteriogenesis |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/abbs/40.8.681 |journal=Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica |volume=40 |issue=8 |pages=681–692 |doi=10.1093/abbs/40.8.681 |pmid=18685784 |issn=1672-9145|url-access=subscription }}

{{main|Lymphangiogenesis}}

This process is similar to angiogenesis but involves the creation of lymphatic vessels which are essential for draining excess fluid and fighting infections. This process is also key to conditions like inflammation and the spreading of cancer.{{Cite journal |last1=Alitalo |first1=Kari |last2=Tammela |first2=Tuomas |last3=Petrova |first3=Tatiana V. |date=2005-12-14 |title=Lymphangiogenesis in development and human disease |url=https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04480 |journal=Nature |volume=438 |issue=7070 |pages=946–953 |doi=10.1038/nature04480 |pmid=16355212 |bibcode=2005Natur.438..946A |issn=0028-0836|url-access=subscription }}

In cancer, tumours take over the body’s vascularisation processes to supply themselves with blood, helping them grow and spread. Scientists are now developing therapies that block angiogenesis, cutting off the tumour blood supply.{{Cite journal |last1=Lopes-Coelho |first1=Filipa |last2=Martins |first2=Filipa |last3=Pereira |first3=Sofia A. |last4=Serpa |first4=Jacinta |date=2021-04-05 |title=Anti-Angiogenic Therapy: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives |journal=International Journal of Molecular Sciences |volume=22 |issue=7 |pages=3765 |doi=10.3390/ijms22073765 |doi-access=free |issn=1422-0067 |pmc=8038573 |pmid=33916438}}{{Cite journal |last1=Samant |first1=Rajeev S. |last2=Shevde |first2=Lalita A. |date=2011-03-07 |title=Recent Advances in Anti-Angiogenic Therapy of Cancer |url=https://www.oncotarget.com/article/234/text/ |journal=Oncotarget |language=en |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=122–134 |doi=10.18632/oncotarget.234 |pmid=21399234 |pmc=3260813 |issn=1949-2553}}{{Cite web |date=2018-05-01 |title=Angiogenesis Inhibitors - NCI |url=https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy/angiogenesis-inhibitors-fact-sheet |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=www.cancer.gov |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last1=Saman |first1=Harman |last2=Raza |first2=Syed Shadab |last3=Uddin |first3=Shahab |last4=Rasul |first4=Kakil |date=2020-05-06 |title=Inducing Angiogenesis, a Key Step in Cancer Vascularization, and Treatment Approaches |journal=Cancers |volume=12 |issue=5 |pages=1172 |doi=10.3390/cancers12051172 |doi-access=free |issn=2072-6694 |pmc=7281705 |pmid=32384792}} This has become a strategy in cancer treatments, with medications like bevacizumab that are being used to shrink tumours by preventing blood vessel growth.{{Cite journal |last1=Ferrara |first1=Napoleone |last2=Kerbel |first2=Robert S. |date=December 2005 |title=Angiogenesis as a therapeutic target |url=https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04483 |journal=Nature |volume=438 |issue=7070 |pages=967–974 |doi=10.1038/nature04483 |pmid=16355214 |bibcode=2005Natur.438..967F |issn=0028-0836|url-access=subscription }}

• In atherosclerosis, new blood vessels form within plaques, contributing to their growth and instability.{{Cite journal |last1=Camaré |first1=Caroline |last2=Pucelle |first2=Mélanie |last3=Nègre-Salvayre |first3=Anne |last4=Salvayre |first4=Robert |date=2017-08-01 |title=Angiogenesis in the atherosclerotic plaque |journal=Redox Biology |volume=12 |pages=18–34 |doi=10.1016/j.redox.2017.01.007 |issn=2213-2317 |pmc=5312547 |pmid=28212521}} These vessels are often fragile, allowing inflammatory cells and fats to enter, which can cause bleeding inside the plaque and increase the risk of rupture.{{Cite journal |last1=Finn |first1=Aloke V. |last2=Jain |first2=Rakesh K. |date=2010-01-01 |title=Coronary Plaque Neovascularization and Hemorrhage |journal=JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging |language=en |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=41–44 |doi=10.1016/j.jcmg.2009.11.001 |pmc=2842010 |pmid=20129529}} Some studies in animal models suggest that blocking this vessel growth can reduce atherosclerotic progression.
• In a myocardial infarction, blocked blood flow deprives heart tissue of oxygen, leading to cell damage. Neovascularization in the surrounding area can help restore oxygen supply and limit further injury.{{Cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Na |last2=Rignault-Clerc |first2=Stephanie |last3=Bielmann |first3=Christelle |last4=Bon-Mathier |first4=Anne-Charlotte |last5=Déglise |first5=Tamara |last6=Carboni |first6=Alexia |last7=Ducrest |first7=Mégane |last8=Rosenblatt-Velin |first8=Nathalie |date=2020-11-27 |title=Increasing heart vascularisation after myocardial infarction using brain natriuretic peptide stimulation of endothelial and WT1+ epicardial cells |journal=eLife |volume=9 |pages=e61050 |doi=10.7554/eLife.61050 |doi-access=free |issn=2050-084X |pmc=7695454 |pmid=33245046}} Therapeutic angiogenesis, which encourages new blood vessel growth, is being explored as a potential treatment. Growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have shown promise in promoting this process after a heart attack.{{Cite journal |last1=Niu |first1=Hong |last2=Liu |first2=Zhongting |last3=Guan |first3=Ya |last4=Dang |first4=Yu |last5=Guan |first5=Jianjun |date=2023-08-04 |title=Abstract P2133: Preservation & Vascularization Of Cardiac Extracellular Matrix After Acute Myocardial Infarction |url=https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/res.133.suppl_1.P2133 |journal=Circulation Research |volume=133 |issue=Suppl_1 |pages=AP2133 |doi=10.1161/res.133.suppl_1.P2133|url-access=subscription }}
• Following a stroke, post-stroke angiogenesis occurs in the ischemic penumbra (the region surrounding the infarct core) which disrupts cerebral blood flow. This process helps restore perfusion and supports neurological recovery. Additionally, arteriogenesis, the enlargement of pre-existing collateral vessels, contributes to post-stroke blood flow restoration. Various immune cells and cytokines play a role in regulating angiogenesis after ischemic injury.{{Cite journal |last1=Liu |first1=Jialing |last2=Wang |first2=Yongting |last3=Akamatsu |first3=Yosuke |last4=Lee |first4=Chih Cheng |last5=Stetler |first5=R. Anne |last6=Lawton |first6=Michael T. |last7=Yang |first7=Guo-Yuan |date=2014-04-01 |title=Vascular remodeling after ischemic stroke: mechanisms and therapeutic potentials |journal=Progress in Neurobiology |volume=115 |pages=138–156 |doi=10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.11.004 |issn=1873-5118 |pmc=4295834 |pmid=24291532}}{{Cite journal |last1=Freitas-Andrade |first1=Moises |last2=Raman-Nair |first2=Joanna |last3=Lacoste |first3=Baptiste |date=2020-08-07 |title=Structural and Functional Remodeling of the Brain Vasculature Following Stroke |journal=Frontiers in Physiology |language=English |volume=11 |page=948 |doi=10.3389/fphys.2020.00948 |doi-access=free |issn=1664-042X |pmc=7433746 |pmid=32848875}}{{Cite journal |last1=Zhu |first1=Hua |last2=Zhang |first2=Yonggang |last3=Zhong |first3=Yi |last4=Ye |first4=Yingze |last5=Hu |first5=Xinyao |last6=Gu |first6=Lijuan |last7=Xiong |first7=Xiaoxing |date=2021-04-21 |title=Inflammation-Mediated Angiogenesis in Ischemic Stroke |journal=Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience |language=English |volume=15 |doi=10.3389/fncel.2021.652647 |doi-access=free |pmid=33967696 |pmc=8096981 |issn=1662-5102}}

Vascularization is crucial for wound healing, as it provides oxygen and nutrients necessary for tissue repair.{{Cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=Kelly E. |last2=Wilgus |first2=Traci A. |date=2014-10-01 |title=Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Angiogenesis in the Regulation of Cutaneous Wound Repair |journal=Advances in Wound Care |volume=3 |issue=10 |pages=647–661 |doi=10.1089/wound.2013.0517 |issn=2162-1918 |pmc=4183920 |pmid=25302139}} Angiogenesis temporarily increases vascular density around the wound, aiding the healing process.{{Cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=Kelly E. |last2=Wilgus |first2=Traci A. |date=2014-10-01 |title=Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Angiogenesis in the Regulation of Cutaneous Wound Repair |journal=Advances in Wound Care |volume=3 |issue=10 |pages=647–661 |doi=10.1089/wound.2013.0517 |issn=2162-1918 |pmc=4183920 |pmid=25302139}}

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key pro-angiogenic factor in this process, stimulating both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in the skin. Impaired angiogenesis can result in delayed wound healing, as seen in conditions such as diabetes, where chronic wounds often exhibit reduced levels of active VEGF. Scientists are exploring ways to stimulate angiogenesis to help speed up healing, especially in persistent wounds.{{Cite journal |last1=Huang |first1=Kang |last2=Mi |first2=Bobin |last3=Xiong |first3=Yuan |last4=Fu |first4=Zicai |last5=Zhou |first5=Wenyun |last6=Liu |first6=Wanjun |last7=Liu |first7=Guohui |last8=Dai |first8=Guandong |date=2025-01-01 |title=Angiogenesis during diabetic wound repair: from mechanism to therapy opportunity |url=https://academic.oup.com/burnstrauma/article/doi/10.1093/burnst/tkae052/8003788 |journal=Burns & Trauma |volume=13 |pages=tkae052 |doi=10.1093/burnst/tkae052 |issn=2321-3876 |pmc=11802347 |pmid=39927093}}{{Cite journal |last=Akita |first=Sadanori |date=2019-12-15 |title=Wound Repair and Regeneration: Mechanisms, Signaling |journal=International Journal of Molecular Sciences |language=en |volume=20 |issue=24 |pages=6328 |doi=10.3390/ijms20246328 |doi-access=free |issn=1422-0067 |pmc=6940902 |pmid=31847465}}{{Cite journal |last1=Veith |first1=Austin P. |last2=Henderson |first2=Kayla |last3=Spencer |first3=Adrianne |last4=Sligar |first4=Andrew D. |last5=Baker |first5=Aaron B. |date=2019-06-01 |title=Therapeutic strategies for enhancing angiogenesis in wound healing |journal=Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews |volume=146 |pages=97–125 |doi=10.1016/j.addr.2018.09.010 |issn=1872-8294 |pmc=6435442 |pmid=30267742}}

{{main|Diabetic retinopathy}}

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes in which there is abnormal proliferation of microvessels in the retina, which can lead to vision loss{{Cite journal |last=Suh |first=D. Y. |date=2000-07-01 |title=Understanding angiogenesis and its clinical applications |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10945562 |journal=Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science |volume=30 |issue=3 |pages=227–238 |issn=0091-7370 |pmid=10945562}}

Category:Cardiovascular physiology