Angiogenesis and organ transplantation

Angiogenesis is a vessel development process that maintains the vascular supply for organ function. Regulation of angiogenesis is provided by positive factors, such as vascular endothelial or basic fibroblast growth factors, and negative factors, such as thrombospondin and macrophage-derived inflammatory cytokines. While the role of angiogenesis in the wound healing, embryogenesis, tumor growth and proliferative diseases is clear, in organ transplantation it is not yet well established. Herein we discuss the potential role of angiogenesis in chronic renal disease and in transplant settings.