Novel mechanisms and signaling pathways in angiogenesis

Abstract

Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation from existing blood vessels, is essential for wound healing, embryonic development, as well as organ function regulation. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR) and NOTCH signaling are among the main pathways that work in coordination to orchestrate the complex process of angiogenesis. Understanding the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms is crucial for developing angiogenesis-based therapies for treating diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease. Approaches to control angiogenesis encompass targeting specific angiogenic signalling molecules and suppressing their key intracellular transcriptional effectors. Within the scope of this thesis I investigated the precise control of angiogenesis and the potential effects of pharmacological intervention of signaling pathways involved in angiogenesis. The obtained insights have shed new light on the basic mechanism underlying angiogenesis and may aid drug discovery endeavors focused on manipulating angiogenic signaling pathways for therapeutic gain.