Synovial neovessels

Synovial neovessels are newly developed blood vessels within the synovial membrane that arise during inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. They play a key role in sustaining synovial hyperplasia, chronic inflammation, and pathological remodeling in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Endothelial cells are central to their formation, driven by angiogenic and inflammatory mediators. Therapeutically, the concept of targeting synovial neovessels (i.e., synovial angiogenesis) is under active research for treating these diseases, although no drugs are specifically approved to target synovial neovessels directly. Detection and assessment of neovessel proliferation are now standard in imaging modalities to monitor synovial disease activity. Synovial neovessels are an anatomical and pathological marker, not a single druggable molecule or protein target. Therefore, designating them as a conventional molecular "target" is incorrect. Instead, molecular drug targets often include mediators of angiogenesis within the synovium, such as VEGF, angiopoietin, and related signaling pathways.

Other names

Synovial angiogenesisSynovial neoangiogenesisPathological synovial blood vessels

Inhibition of angiogenesis (blocking endothelial proliferation, VEGF pathway, or related mediators)