Angiogenesis involves the coordination of several steps: (i) binding of angiogenic stimulating factors [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)] to their receptors on endothelial cells, (ii) secretion of proteases, which degrade the vascular basement membrane (VBM) and the surrounding ECM, (iii) endothelial proliferation and migration, (iv) endothelial differentiation and tube formation, (v) reformation of the VBM, (vi) recruitment of pericytes, which surround and stabilize the newly formed vessel (46).
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