Angiogenesis: Physiology and Pathology

Angiogenesis is the process through which new blood vessels develop from pre-existing ones. It is an important process of growth and development and aids in wound healing and formation of granulation tissue. Angiogenesis may be stimulated mechanically and chemically. Though mechanical stimulation is not well characterized, chemical stimulation is done using angiogenic proteins such as integrins and prostaglandins, and growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), etc. The application of angiogenesis in medicine is as a therapeutic target for the management of abnormal vasculature or poor vascularization and cardiovascular disease. This book brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and elucidates the unexplored aspects of angiogenesis. It aims to give a general view of the physiology and pathology of angiogenesis. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.