Angiogenesis-related pathways in endothelial and surrounding cells

Angiogenesis-related pathways in endothelial and surrounding cells refer to the integrated signaling networks that govern the physiological and pathological formation of new blood vessels. These pathways involve a variety of molecular players, including Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF), Angiopoietins, Notch ligands, and Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (PDGF), which coordinate the behavior of endothelial cells, pericytes, and smooth muscle cells (Source: Nature, 2011). In a healthy state, these pathways are tightly regulated to support processes like wound healing and the manifestation of the menstrual cycle. However, in many diseases, particularly solid tumors, these pathways are constitutively activated to facilitate oxygen and nutrient delivery, thereby promoting growth and metastasis (Source: Nature Reviews Cancer, 2008). Pathological angiogenesis is also a key driver in ocular diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Pharmacological intervention typically targets these pathways to inhibit vessel growth, with many approved therapies focusing on the VEGF/VEGFR axis (Source: Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2016). Drugs like bevacizumab and sunitinib are designed to disrupt these signals, effectively starving tumors of their blood supply. Despite their efficacy, targeting these pathways can lead to systemic side effects such as hypertension and impaired wound healing due to the role of these pathways in normal vascular maintenance (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2009).

Other names

Angiogenic signaling pathwaysNeovascularization pathwaysEndothelial signaling networkVascular growth signaling

Inhibition of pro-angiogenic signaling cascades, primarily through the blockade of growth factors like VEGF or their corresponding receptors (VEGFRs), to suppress endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival (Source: Nature Reviews Cancer, 2008).