Mechanisms of angiogenesis

the long version

Presents a thorough reconsideration of our current knowledge of factors and principles involved in angiogenic processes. It proceeds from a "macroscopic " perspective through cellular and physical mechanisms to the molecular level . In the first part, angiogenesis in physiological as well as pathological processes is described with a focus on embryogenesis, the reproductive system and the growing heart. The second part deals with cellular and physical mechanisms leading to angiogenesis, and the last part presents a deeper insight into molecular mechanisms of blood vessel growth, including knockout studies of essential angiogenic molecules, the identification of signaling steps in angiogenesis and the importance of cellular junctions.