Vascular endothelial niche

The vascular endothelial niche is a specialized microenvironment primarily composed of endothelial cells, pericytes, and the surrounding extracellular matrix. It serves as a critical regulatory hub for stem cell populations, particularly hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, by providing essential paracrine signals—often termed angiocrine factors—that govern quiescence, self-renewal, and differentiation (Butler et al., 2010; Rafii et al., 2016). This niche is not a single molecule but a complex system that integrates physical cues and biochemical signaling to maintain tissue homeostasis. In pathological states, such as cancer, the vascular niche is frequently co-opted to support tumor growth, facilitate metastasis, and provide a protective sanctuary that shields malignant cells from chemotherapy (Poulos et al., 2017). Therapeutic strategies targeting the vascular endothelial niche aim to disrupt these supportive interactions or mobilize sequestered cells into the circulation to enhance the efficacy of cytotoxic treatments (Winkler et al., 2012). Common molecular targets within this niche include the VEGF/VEGFR axis, Notch signaling, and the CXCR4/SDF-1 pathway, which are vital for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the vascular environment (Himburg et al., 2012).

Other names

Endothelial nichePerivascular nicheVascular nicheVascular stem cell niche

Modulation of the microenvironment through inhibition of angiocrine signaling (e.g., VEGF blockade), disruption of cell-niche adhesion (e.g., CXCR4 or E-selectin antagonism), or mobilization of stem/progenitor cells into the systemic circulation.