The discovery of angiogenic factors: a historical review

Gen Pharmacol. 2000 Nov;35(5):227-31. doi: 10.1016/s0306-3623(01)00112-4.

Abstract

Angiogenesis is a biological process by which new capillaries are formed and it occurs in many physiological and pathological conditions. It is controlled by the net balance between molecules that have positive and negative regulatory activity and this concept had led to the notion of the "angiogenic switch," depending on an increased production of one or more of the positive regulators of angiogenesis. Numerous inducers of angiogenesis have been identified and this review offers a historical account of the relevant literature concerning the discovery of the best-characterized angiogenic factors.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / history*
  • Angiopoietin-1
  • Animals
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / history
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / history
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Lymphokines / history
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / history
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
  • Angiopoietin-1
  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Lymphokines
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors