Chapter 11 – Blood Vessels:Vessel Development, Growth & Remodeling

Question 1

Three major processes characterize blood vessel formation and remodeling (covered in detail
in Chapter 3 ):

Answer 1

• vasculogenesis,
• angiogenesis, and
• arteriogenesis.

Question 2

What is vasculogenesis?

Answer 2

Vasculogenesis is the de novo formation of blood vessels during embryogenesis.

Question 3

How is the formation of the definitive vascular system?

Answer 3

Hemangioblast angiogenic precursors develop and migrate to the sites of vascularization.

These differentiate into endothelial cells that associate to form a primitive vascular plexus; with time and the influence of local genetic, metabolic, and
hemodynamic factors, this network of cells remodels (through pruning and/or vessel
enlargement) into the definitive vascular system. [2,] [3]

Question 4

What are the primary growth factors involved in the vasculogenesis?

Answer 4

The various isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are the primary growth factors involved in this process.

Subsequent stabilization of the endothelial tubes during development (and induction of endothelial cell quiescence) also critically requires the recruitment of
pericytes and smooth muscle cells, a process that involves angiopoietin 1 binding to
endothelial cell Tie2 receptors.

Question 5

What is Angiogenesis (or neovascularization)?

Answer 5

Angiogenesis (or neovascularization) constitutes the process of new vessel formation in
the mature organism

Question 6

What is arteriogenesis?

Answer 6

Arteriogenesis refers to the remodeling of existing arteries in response to chronic
changes in pressure or flow, and results from an interplay of endothelial cell–and
smooth muscle cell–derived factors