Angiogenesis
Also known as: 혈관신생
Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels; in fat grafting it determines whether transferred fat gains a blood supply and survives.
What is the difference between angiogenesis and vasculogenesis?
Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels from vessels that already exist, driven mainly by the endothelial cells that line them. It continues throughout life. Vasculogenesis is how the embryo first builds blood vessels from scratch, using precursor cells called angioblasts that develop from mesodermal stem cells. In short, vasculogenesis lays down the first network, and angiogenesis expands and remodels it.
Key facts
| Predicate | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Distinguished from | Vasculogenesis: new vessels formed from angioblasts during embryonic development, not grown from existing vessels | [2]journalOverview of Angiogenesis (in: Adair TH, Montani JP. Angiogenesis)Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences / NCBI Bookshelf |
| Main types | Sprouting angiogenesis and intussusceptive (splitting) angiogenesis | [2]journalOverview of Angiogenesis (in: Adair TH, Montani JP. Angiogenesis)Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences / NCBI Bookshelf |
| Key regulator | VEGF-A is the main factor that triggers sprouting when tissue lacks oxygen; Delta-Notch signalling determines which cells become tip cells and which become stalk cells | [2]journalOverview of Angiogenesis (in: Adair TH, Montani JP. Angiogenesis)Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences / NCBI Bookshelf |
| Seminal publication | Folkman J. Tumor angiogenesis: therapeutic implications. N Engl J Med 1971;285(21):1182–1186 | [3]journalTumor Angiogenesis (editorial), Dudek AZ, Gupta K, Ramakrishnan S, Mukhopadhyay D. Journal of OncologyJournal of Oncology (Hindawi) |
| First US-approved angiogenesis inhibitor | Bevacizumab (Avastin), an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, approved by the FDA for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal canceras of Feb 26, 2004 | [4]newsFDA Approves First Angiogenesis Inhibitor To Treat Colorectal CancerScienceDaily (reprinting U.S. Food and Drug Administration release) |
| Eye disease link | In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye and damage the macula; it is treated with anti-VEGF injections | [5]governmentAge-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)National Eye Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health |
| Therapeutic directions | Stimulating angiogenesis is studied for ischemic heart disease and wound healing; inhibiting it is used in cancer and eye disease | [2]journalOverview of Angiogenesis (in: Adair TH, Montani JP. Angiogenesis)Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences / NCBI Bookshelf |
| Evidence in cell-assisted fat grafting | Meta-analysis of 15 studies (634 patients): cell-enriched grafts had higher retention, but results varied extremely between studies (I² = 97%) and breast grafts showed no significant benefitas of Jan 1, 2026 | [6]journalClinical Efficacy of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell-Enriched Lipotransfer Versus Conventional Fat Grafting: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisCureus, via PubMed Central |
| Evidence for the angiogenesis mechanism in grafts | Histology did not show higher vessel density in enriched grafts; the authors suggest the benefit may come from signalling molecules released by the cells (a paracrine effect) | [6]journalClinical Efficacy of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell-Enriched Lipotransfer Versus Conventional Fat Grafting: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisCureus, via PubMed Central |
| Growth of research literature | About 2 manuscripts in 1970; more than 5,200 articles in 2009 publications per yearas of Dec 31, 2009 | [2]journalOverview of Angiogenesis (in: Adair TH, Montani JP. Angiogenesis)Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences / NCBI Bookshelf |
| Definition (NCI) | Blood vessel formation | [1]governmentNCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: angiogenesisNational Cancer Institute (NCI) |
Overview
Angiogenesis (Korean: 혈관신생) is the growth of new blood vessels, mainly capillaries, from vessels that already exist. It is different from vasculogenesis, which is the formation of new vessels from angioblast precursor cells in the embryo. There are two main types. In sprouting angiogenesis, endothelial tip cells grow toward signals such as VEGF-A. In intussusceptive (splitting) angiogenesis, an existing vessel divides in two. Angiogenesis takes place from fetal development through adult life, including in wound healing. It also feeds tumour growth and causes the abnormal vessels of wet age-related macular degeneration. Drugs that block VEGF, such as bevacizumab, are approved to inhibit it. In cell-assisted fat grafting, stromal cells are thought to support blood vessel growth in the graft. Clinical results vary widely between studies, and this mechanism has not been confirmed. Readers should check each study's design, graft site and follow-up time.
References
Independent source ratio 100% (6/6)- Level A · governmentNCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: angiogenesis — National Cancer Institute (NCI) · accessed Nov 12, 2026 · Evidence page
- Level B · journalOverview of Angiogenesis (in: Adair TH, Montani JP. Angiogenesis) — Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences / NCBI Bookshelf · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page
- Level B · journalTumor Angiogenesis (editorial), Dudek AZ, Gupta K, Ramakrishnan S, Mukhopadhyay D. Journal of Oncology — Journal of Oncology (Hindawi) · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page
- Level D · newsFDA Approves First Angiogenesis Inhibitor To Treat Colorectal Cancer — ScienceDaily (reprinting U.S. Food and Drug Administration release) · accessed Nov 11, 2026 · Evidence page
- Level A · governmentAge-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) — National Eye Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health · accessed Nov 11, 2026 · Evidence page
- Level B · journalClinical Efficacy of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell-Enriched Lipotransfer Versus Conventional Fat Grafting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — Cureus, via PubMed Central · accessed Nov 11, 2026 · Evidence page