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The complex TIE between macrophages and angiogenesis
Author(s) -
Du Cheyne Charis,
Tay Hanna,
De Spiegelaere Ward
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/ahe.12518
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , macrophage , microbiology and biotechnology , angiopoietin receptor , angiopoietin , neovascularization , biology , regeneration (biology) , blood vessel , immune system , immunology , neuroscience , cancer research , vascular endothelial growth factor , vegf receptors , in vitro , endocrinology , biochemistry
Macrophages are primarily known as phagocytic immune cells, but they also play a role in diverse processes, such as morphogenesis, homeostasis and regeneration. In this review, we discuss the influence of macrophages on angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation from the pre‐existing vasculature. Macrophages play crucial roles at each step of the angiogenic cascade, starting from new blood vessel sprouting to the remodelling of the vascular plexus and vessel maturation. Macrophages form promising targets for both pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic treatments. However, to target macrophages, we will first need to understand the mechanisms that control the functional plasticity of macrophages during each of the steps of the angiogenic cascade. Here, we review recent insights in this topic. Special attention will be given to the TIE2‐expressing macrophage (TEM), which is a subtype of highly angiogenic macrophages that is able to influence angiogenesis via the angiopoietin–TIE pathway.