Angiogenesis factors

"Angiogenesis factors" collectively refer to endogenous or exogenous molecules that regulate angiogenesis—the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature. This group includes both pro-angiogenic proteins (such as vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], fibroblast growth factors [FGF], platelet-derived growth factors [PDGF], angiopoietins, and others) and anti-angiogenic factors (such as thrombospondin, endostatin, angiostatin). These factors are essential to physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development, wound healing, tumor growth, and ischemic diseases. While anti-angiogenic and pro-angiogenic agents have been developed to target specific factor members for diseases like cancer and age-related macular degeneration, 'angiogenesis factors' itself is not a single entity, but rather a functional category or umbrella term for many molecular targets.

Other names

angiogenic factorspro-angiogenic factorsanti-angiogenic factorsangiogenesis regulators

Inhibition of pro-angiogenic signaling (mainly via VEGF/VEGFR or PDGF/PDGFR); Receptor blockade (antibodies, small molecules); Downregulation of growth factor production (e.g., transcriptional repression, mTOR inhibition); Degradation of extracellular matrix to inhibit migration; In rare cases, stimulation of angiogenesis for ischemic disease (pro-angiogenic growth factors, cell therapy).