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Angiogenesis in atherosclerosis
R Kahlon1, J Shapero, A I Gotlieb
1Department of Pathology, Toronto Hospital, Ontario.
Insights
This review explores angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques, focusing on vessel origins and regulatory factors. Understanding these processes is crucial for addressing the clinical complications of atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Pathology
- Angiogenesis Research
Background:
- Atherosclerotic plaques involve complex vascular changes.
- Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, plays a significant role in plaque development and complications.
- Existing research on plaque angiogenesis is not exhaustive, necessitating a comprehensive review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the structure, pathogenesis, and complications of angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques.
- To elucidate the origins of neovessels within plaques, likely from the vasa vasorum.
- To examine the role of angiogenic factors and inhibitors in regulating vascular growth within the atherosclerotic environment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on atherosclerotic plaque angiogenesis.
- Analysis of data concerning vascular structures and the sequence of neovascularization events.
- Synthesis of information on growth factors and inhibitors involved in angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests new capillaries in plaques originate from the vasa vasorum.
- Angiogenesis in plaques is likely driven by a complex interplay of angiogenic factors and inhibitors.
- The process involves vascular cell migration and proliferation, regulated by specific growth factors.
Conclusions:
- Angiogenesis is a critical process in atherosclerotic plaque pathogenesis with significant clinical implications.
- Further research using purified growth factors is needed to fully understand the mechanisms driving plaque angiogenesis.
- Clarifying the pathogenesis of angiogenesis is essential for developing targeted therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
This article reviews studies on the structure, complications and pathogenesis of angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques. Although important, this topic has not been studied extensively; the authors present a review of the important information available in the literature. Since angiogenesis has profound clinical complications, the focus is on data which provided information to understand the nature of the vascular structures involved and the sequence of events which led to the initiation and growth of these small vessels in the plaque. This review indicates that it is most likely that the capillaries that first form arise from the vasa vasorum. Since the cell biology literature suggests that angiogenesis is regulated by angiogenic factors which stimulate vascular cell migration and proliferation, the known role of several growth factors and inhibitors is reviewed. It is likely that a complex interaction in the atherosclerotic vessel wall results in angiogenesis, and that further study with purified growth factors and other substances is needed to clarify the pathogenesis of this important biological process.