Angiogenesis. Possibilities for therapeutic intervention in rheumatic diseases

In contrast to vasculogenesis, angiogenesis is defined as the formation of new vessels from preexisting ones. Physiologically, this multistep process occurs in adults during the reproductive cycle and during pregnancy, pathophysiologically it can be found in wound healing, inflammation and carcinogenesis. The underlying mechanisms are vasodilatation and increasing permeability, destabilization of vessel walls and degradation of extracellular matrix, followed by the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. Migrated endothelial cells form vascular tubes at sites of ischemia and these tubes are finally stabilized by pericytes and smooth muscle cells. This process is controlled by a complex interaction of angiogenic and angiostatic factors. In contrast to carcinogenesis, the role of angiogenesis for the pathogenesis and therapy of rheumatic diseases is less understood. Two examples for pathologically disturbed angiogenesis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis, are discussed in this review with respect to therapeutic options.