Biochemical Basis and Therapeutic Implications of Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a highly complex phenomenon where new blood vessels are formed for the supply of oxygen and nutrients in different organs of the body. It plays a critical role in both physiological processes such as growth and development as well as pathological processes including cancer and different types of tumors. Angiogenesis is also essential for the regeneration and survival of cells in several disease conditions such as ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction), atherosclerosis, brain injury (stroke) and diabetes. Since the mechanisms of angiogenesis are organ specific and differ among various diseases, it is proposed to devote one section of this book to the development of angiogenesis in some selected diseases such as cancer, ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes and stroke. It is pointed out that extensive research work in this regard has been carried out in the area of cancer and heart disease, whereas relatively less attention has been paid to studying angiogenesis in other disease conditions.

Part A: Molecular Mechanisms of Angiogenesis. - Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors in Angiogenesis. - Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Angiogenesis. - Role of Cytokines in Angiogenesis: Turning it On and Off. - Neuropeptides in Angiogenesis. - The Role of Integrins in Angiogenesis. - Regulation of Angiogenesis by Hypoxia-inducible Factors. - Role of Mast Cells in Angiogenesis. - Vascular Stem Cells in Regulation of Angiogenesis. - Toll-like Receptor-linked Signal Transduction in Angiogenesis. - The Role of Sex Steroids in Angiogenesis. - Biochemical Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Angiogenesis. - Part B: Pathophysiological Aspects of Angiogenesis. - Angiogenesis in Atherosclerosis: An Overview. - Role of Serotonin in Angiogenesis in Diabetes. - Brain Angiogenesis after Stroke. - Angiogenesis in Myocardial Ischemia. - Adipose Tissue-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Angiogenesis in Ischemic Heart Disease. - Trials of Angiogenesis Therapy in Patients with ischemic Heart Disease. - Angiogenesis in Cancer. - Potential Mechanisms Linking Oxidized LDL to Susceptibility to Cancer. - Role of Genetic Polymorphisms in the Angiogenesis Pathway and Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Tumor Behavior. - Part C: Pharmacology and Therapy of Angiogenesis. - Angiogenesis and Arteriogenesis Factors: Their Role in the Treatment of Cancer and Arterial Regeneration. - Physiological Roles and Therapeutic Implications of Hepatocyte Growth Factor for Angiogenesis. - Harnessing Endothelial Progenitor Cells for Therapeutic Angiogenesis. - Microarray and MiRs in Angiogenesis. - MicroRNA and Cardiovascular Disorders, with a Focus on Angiogenesis. - An Overview of Angiogenesis Inhibitors from Natural Sources. - Index.