Pro-angiogenic Molecules for Therapeutic Angiogenesis

Therapeutic angiogenesis is a clinical intervention for controlled stimulation and augmentation of neovascularisation in ischemic tissues. Conventional therapeutic techniques involve proangiogenic factor based induction of host tissue angiogenesis. In this review, we provide a holistic idea about therapeutic angiogenesis while specifically highlighting the role of proangiogenic factors as growth factors, peptides, small molecules and polysaccharides in tissue neovascularisation.

A detailed search of peer-reviewed literature was carried out with prime focus on therapeutic angiogenesis and proangiogenic factors. The content of each literature reviewed in this paper was qualitatively analysed for particulars and relevance to the subject of study. This work has been distributed under four broad titles, namely, proangiogenic growth factors, peptides, small molecules and polysaccharides. Also, recent developments pertaining to proangiogenic factors for therapeutic angiogenesis have been detailed.

A total of 244 literatures have been reviewed from the bibliographic database to present a conceptual understanding about the importance of proangiogenic factors in revascularisation of ischemic tissues.

This review focuses on importance of various proangiogenic factors, with reference to therapeutic angiogenesis. Thorough analysis of clinical data reveals the dearth of a defined system for proangiogenic growth factor delivery. Designing of a biomaterial based paradigm for growth factor therapy, might help in enhancing clinical translation of therapeutic angiogenesis.