It has been suggested that this article bemerged intoVasculogenesis. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2025.
Vascularisation is the physiological process through whichblood vessels form intissues ororgans. Vascularisation is crucial to supply the organs and tissues with an adequate supply ofoxygen andnutrients and for removing waste products.
Blood vessels transport blood, water, and nutrients needed to support body systems. When blood vessels lose efficiency, it may lead to serious diseases such ascancer,heart disease, anddiabetes. Scientists are currently working on ways to grow new blood vessels to help with tissue engineering and healing injuries.[citation needed] This is why vascularisation is important in medicine.[1]
It is the process where new blood vessels form from pre-existing ones. This happens naturally when the body needs to repair tissue or when a wound needs to heal. It is driven by signals from growth factors, such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which prompts the formation of new vessels. However, this process can occasionally go wrong in tumour formation where it allows the tumours to create their own blood supply and grow larger, which can contribute to diseases like cancer.[2]
This is the creation of blood vessels during early development particularly in embryos. Blood vessels start to form from special cells known as endothelial progenitor cells. While this process mostly happens during embryonic development, it can also occur in adults when the body needs to repair damaged blood vessels or grow new ones after an injury occurs.[3]
This is a process where smaller and less efficient blood vessels become enlarged into fully functioning arteries. This usually happens in response to increased demand in the body such as during exercise or when blood vessels are blocked. This aids in ensuring that tissues are supplied with enough blood and oxygen.[4]
This process is similar to angiogenesis but involves the creation of lymphatic vessels which are essential for draining excess fluid and fighting infections. This process is also key to conditions like inflammation and the spreading of cancer.[5]
In cancer,tumours take over the body’s vascularisation processes to supply themselves with blood, helping them grow and spread. Scientists are now developing therapies that block angiogenesis, cutting off the tumour blood supply.[6][7][8][9] This has become a strategy incancer treatments, with medications likebevacizumab that are being used to shrink tumours by preventing blood vessel growth.[10]
Inatherosclerosis, new blood vessels form within plaques, contributing to their growth and instability.[11] These vessels are often fragile, allowing inflammatory cells andfats to enter, which can cause bleeding inside the plaque and increase the risk of rupture.[12] Some studies in animal models suggest that blocking this vessel growth can reduce atherosclerotic progression.[11]
In amyocardial infarction, blocked blood flow deprives heart tissue of oxygen, leading to cell damage.Neovascularization in the surrounding area can help restore oxygen supply and limit further injury.[13] Therapeutic angiogenesis, which encourages new blood vessel growth, is being explored as a potential treatment. Growth factors such asbasic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) andbrain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have shown promise in promoting this process after a heart attack.[14]
Following astroke, post-stroke angiogenesis occurs in theischemic penumbra (the region surrounding the infarct core) which disruptscerebral blood flow. This process helps restoreperfusion and supports neurological recovery. Additionally, arteriogenesis, the enlargement of pre-existing collateral vessels, contributes to post-stroke blood flow restoration. Variousimmune cells andcytokines play a role in regulating angiogenesis afterischemic injury.[15][16][17]
Vascularization is crucial for wound healing, as it provides oxygen and nutrients necessary for tissue repair.[18] Angiogenesis temporarily increases vascular density around the wound, aiding the healing process.[19]
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key pro-angiogenic factor in this process, stimulating both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in the skin.[19] Impaired angiogenesis can result in delayed wound healing, as seen in conditions such asdiabetes, where chronic wounds often exhibit reduced levels of active VEGF. Scientists are exploring ways to stimulate angiogenesis to help speed up healing, especially in persistent wounds.[20][21][22]
