Angiogenesis and tissue repair pathways

Angiogenesis and tissue repair pathways represent a complex network of biological processes responsible for the formation of new blood vessels and the restoration of tissue integrity following injury (NIH, 2023). These pathways are mediated by a coordinated interplay of growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix components, including the VEGF, FGF, PDGF, and TGF-beta signaling families (StatPearls, 2023; PubMed, 2021). In health, these processes are tightly regulated to ensure proper development and healing; however, dysregulation is a hallmark of several diseases. For instance, excessive angiogenesis is a critical driver of tumor growth and metastasis in cancer, as well as vision loss in wet age-related macular degeneration (National Cancer Institute, 2022). Conversely, insufficient angiogenesis or impaired signaling in these pathways can lead to chronic non-healing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers. This entry is classified as 'incorrect' as a target because it describes a broad collection of physiological processes rather than a single therapeutic protein or receptor molecule.

Other names

Angiogenesis signalingWound healing pathwaysTissue regenerationNeovascularizationVasculogenesis

Pharmacological modulation of these pathways involves either the inhibition of pro-angiogenic factors (e.g., VEGF, VEGFR, PDGF) to suppress pathological vessel growth in cancer and ophthalmic diseases, or the application of recombinant growth factors to stimulate cellular migration and proliferation for tissue repair.