Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Modified In Vivo Matrix Gel Plug Assay for Angiogenesis Studies
09:03

Modified In Vivo Matrix Gel Plug Assay for Angiogenesis Studies

Published on: June 30, 2023

Pro- and anti-angiogenic therapy and atherosclerosis with special emphasis on vascular endothelial growth factors

Taina Vuorio1, Suvi Jauhiainen, Seppo Ylä-Herttuala

  • 1University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland.

Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy
|November 26, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGFs) show promise for treating ischemic diseases, but clinical trial efficacy remains unsatisfactory. Further research is needed to overcome obstacles in cardiovascular gene therapy for atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Angiogenesis Biology
  • Atherosclerosis Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis affects nearly half of Western populations, with existing treatments insufficient for advanced cardiovascular diseases.
  • New therapeutic strategies for conditions like myocardial and peripheral ischemia are under active investigation.
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGFs) are key regulators of vascular growth, homeostasis, and permeability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biological basis of atherosclerosis and VEGF biology.
  • To present the latest findings from pre-clinical and clinical trials on pro- and anti-angiogenic therapies.
  • To discuss obstacles and future prospects for cardiovascular gene therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on atherosclerosis and VEGF biology.
  • Analysis of pre-clinical research data on angiogenic therapies.
  • Evaluation of results from clinical trials investigating pro- and anti-angiogenic treatments.

Main Results:

  • VEGFs play a dual role, promoting vascularization in ischemia but also contributing to pathological neovascularization in tumors and atherosclerotic lesions.
  • Pro-angiogenic therapies have demonstrated safety and tolerability in clinical trials.
  • Despite safety, the efficacy of pro-angiogenesis treatments for cardiovascular diseases has not met expectations.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular gene therapy faces significant obstacles hindering successful clinical application.
  • Future prospects for improving the efficacy of angiogenic therapies for atherosclerosis require further investigation.
  • Understanding VEGF's complex role is crucial for developing effective treatments for ischemic cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells09:03

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells

Published on: November 23, 2014

The Aortic Ring Co-culture Assay: A Convenient Tool to Assess the Angiogenic Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells In Vitro10:04

The Aortic Ring Co-culture Assay: A Convenient Tool to Assess the Angiogenic Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells In Vitro

Published on: September 18, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists01:18

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists

Endothelins (ETs) are potent vasoactive peptides critical in the human body's various physiological and pathological processes. One of the most promising therapeutic strategies for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves counteracting the effects of these endothelins using a class of drugs known as endothelin receptor antagonists.
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers01:26

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers

Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are two critical categories of drugs employed in the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). PAH is a disease that causes high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, resulting in chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...