Transition metals in angiogenesis - A narrative review

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Materials Science
• Medicine

Background:

• Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is crucial for human growth and development.
• Dysregulation of angiogenesis is implicated in various diseases, making it a therapeutic target.
• Current therapeutic approaches for angiogenesis-related diseases have limitations, driving the search for novel agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a narrative review of existing literature on the role of transition metals in angiogenesis.
• To highlight the potential of transition metals as therapeutic agents for angiogenesis modulation.
• To identify gaps in current research, particularly concerning molecular mechanisms and unexplored transition metals.

Main Methods:

• Literature search and synthesis of existing studies on transition metals and angiogenesis.
• Exclusion of lanthanides and actinides from the review.
• Analysis of various formulations of transition metals, including nanoparticles, complexes, and scaffold materials.

Main Results:

• Transition metals exhibit diverse effects on angiogenesis, acting as both pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic agents.
• Various transition metals have been investigated, with promising results reported for therapeutic applications.
• A significant number of transition metals remain uninvestigated for their angiogenic potential.

Conclusions:

• Transition metals represent a promising class of agents for therapeutic angiogenesis modulation.
• Further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying transition metal effects on angiogenesis is warranted.
• Exploring the angiogenic potential of currently unstudied transition metals could yield novel therapeutic avenues.