Angiogenesis Flashcards
What is HIF?
Hypoxia inducible factor
What happens to HIF-1alpha in normal conditions?
1) Oxygen causes OH groups to be added to HIF (by prolyl hydroxylase)
2) VHL protein recognises this + binds to it forming a complex
3) This leads to its degradation
What happens to HIF-1alpha in low oxygen (hypoxic) conditions?
1) HIF goes to the nucleus
2) HIF is associated w/ ARNT + binds to specific DNA sequences (HREs = hypoxia-response elements)
HIF is NOT degraded
Does pH increase or decrease in hypoxic conditions?
Decrease (more acidic)
What is an in situ tumour?
Small tumours still in place of origin
Describe the angiogenic switch
1) When tumour cells are in hypoxic conditions, they secrete angiogenic proteins which diffuse to capillaries
2) Results in division + growth of vasculature
3) Tumour can now have access to oxygen + nutrients -> proliferation
Describe the structure of nascent vessels
Tube of endothelial cells
Describe the structure of capillaries
Tube of endothelial cells
= continuous (in muscle)
= fenestrated/holey (in kidney/endocrine glands)
= discontinuous (in liver sinusoids)
Surrounded by basement membrane embedded w/ sparse layer of pericytes (involved in angiogenesis)
Describe the structure of arteries + veins
Tube of endothelial cells
Surrounded by basement membrane embedded w/ layer of pericytes
Smooth muscle cell layer
= More regularly arranged in arteries than in veins
Lumen smaller in arteries than in veins
Fibroblasts
What is the drainage system?
Lymphatic system
What is vasculogenesis?
Formation of blood vessels itself
What is angiogenesis?
Formation of new vasculature (new blood vessels) Via sprouting intussusception (to form micro vessels) bridging (micro vessels in 1 big vessel)
What is the precursor for most blood vessels?
Angioblasts/haemangioblasts (stem cell)
What regulates angiogenesis?
Balance of endogenous pro-angiogenic factors + anti-angiogenic factors
Name 3 pro-angiogenic factors
VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)
bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor)
PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor)