Editorial: Angiogenesis and Nutraceuticals

Angiogenesis is the formation of new capillary blood vessels from pre-existing arteries, veins and capillaries. This process involves proliferation, migration and differentiation of vascular endothelial cells following the stimulation by specific angiogenic factors. Angiogenesis is a hallmark of several physiological and pathological conditions. It contributes to tissue repair, expansion, and remodeling in physiological processes such as wound healing, ovulation and embryo development. Nevertheless, when dysregulated, angiogenesis contributes to disease progression in different pathologies including cancer, atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular diseases and chronic inflammation. Many of these conditions share the same characteristics, including the occurrence of hypoxia, inflammation or oxidative stress, recruitment of inflammatory cells, angiogenic growth factor production, basement membrane degradation, endothelial cell migration, proliferation and differentiation and modulation of vascular support cells.