Focal adhesion kinase and angiogenesis. Where do we go from here?

Abstract

See article by Peng et al. (pages 421–430) in this issue. Processes involved in the generation of new blood vessels during embryonic development, wound healing, ischemia, inflammation and tumor growth have captured the imagination of investigators for many years. Numerous studies have led to the well-founded expectation that regulation of angiogenesis will soon be a therapeutically useful approach for a wide range of disorders, ranging from inflammation to neoplastic growth [1]. The angiogenic response is a multifaceted and highly orchestrated process initiated by the endothelial cells of preexisting capillaries. [2]. Responding to a wide array of external stimuli, endothelial cells engage in a series of events that lead to degradation of the extracellular matrix, apparently allowing the cells to proliferate, migrate freely into the perivascular space and differentiate into capillary-like structures [2,3]. The subsequent integration of mural cells and other perivascular cells on the surface of the developing endothelium results in the transformation of these immature tube-like structures into functionally mature blood vessels [2,4]. During neovascularization, the importance of the relationship of the endothelial cells with the microenvironment cannot be overemphasized [5]. In fact, the ability of the endothelial cells to adequately respond to angiogenic challenges is highly dependent on both their interactions with the extracellular matrix and agonists [5,6]. … *Signal Transduction Laboratory, Methodist Research Institute, 1701 N. Senate, Rm. E504, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Tel.: +1 317 962 6891; fax: +1 317 962 9369. Email address: mrizzo{at}clarian.org