Molecular Controls of Arterial Morphogenesis

• Published in: Circulation research Vol. 116; no. 10; pp. 1712 - 1724
• Main Authors: Simons, Michael, Eichmann, Anne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Heart Association, Inc 08.05.2015
• Subjects: Angiogenesis Inducing Agents - therapeutic use; Animals; Arteries - drug effects; Arteries - metabolism; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Humans; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - metabolism; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle - metabolism; Neovascularization, Physiologic - drug effects; Signal Transduction; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 - agonists; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 - genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 - metabolism; arteries; angiogenesis factor; vascular endothelial growth factor A; arteriogenesis
• ISSN: 0009-7330; 1524-4571; 1524-4571
• DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.302953

Formation of arterial vasculature, here termed arteriogenesis, is a central process in embryonic vascular development as well as in adult tissues. Although the process of capillary formation, angiogenesis, is relatively well understood, much remains to be learned about arteriogenesis. Recent discoveries point to the key role played by vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in control of this process and to newly identified control circuits that dramatically influence its activity. The latter can present particularly attractive targets for a new class of therapeutic agents capable of activation of this signaling cascade in a ligand-independent manner, thereby promoting arteriogenesis in diseased tissues.