ANGIOGENESIS IN DERMATOLOGY

Abstract

Angiogenesis is a fundamental process which is tightly regulated. Unregulated angiogenesis may lead to several angiogenic diseases. The construction of a vascular network requires different sequential steps including• the release of proteases from activated endothelial cells with subsequent degradation of the basement membrane, migration of endothelial cells, endothelial cell proliferation, and differentiation. These processes are mediated by a wide range of angiogenic factors. Each of these processes presents possible targets for therapeutic intervention. Dermatological diseases that are related to angiogenesis include; angiogenesis-associated diseases for example: hemangiomas, angiosarcoma, malignant melanoma and non melanoma skin cancer, diseases with defect in vascularization as venous and arterial ulcers and lastly disorders of morphogenesis such as Sturge Weber syndrome and Klippel Trenaunay syndrome.