Published online before print July 1, 2004, doi: 10.1161/01.ATV.0000137390.56554.df
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© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.
Brief Reviews |
Hereditary Vascular Anomalies
New Insights Into Their Pathogenesis
From the Departments of Clinical Pathology (J.-C.T.) and Morphology (M.S.P.), University Medical Center, Geneva, Switzerland.
Correspondence to Prof Michael S. Pepper, Department of Morphology, University Medical Center, 1, rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. E-mail michael.pepper{at}medecine.unige.ch
Increased understanding of the mechanisms of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis has provided a glimpse at some of the molecules involved in the pathophysiology of hemangiomas and vascular malformations. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and the differentiation of arterial, venous, and lymphatic vessels. We integrate this knowledge with new data obtained from genetic studies in humans, which have revealed a number of heretofore-unsuspected candidates involved in the development of familial vascular anomalies. We present a common infantile vascular tumor, hemangioma, and then focus on hereditary familial vascular and lymphatic malformations. We also summarize transgenic mouse models for some of these malformations. It seems reasonable to believe that novel therapeutic strategies will soon emerge for the treatment of hemangiomas and vascular malformations.
Increased understanding of the mechanisms of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis has provided a glimpse at some of the molecules involved in the pathophysiology of hemangiomas and vascular malformations. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and the differentiation of arterial, venous, and lymphatic vessels. We integrate this knowledge with new data obtained from genetic studies in humans, which have revealed a number of heretofore-unsuspected candidates involved in the development of familial vascular anomalies. We present a common infantile vascular tumor, hemangioma, and then focus on hereditary familial vascular and lymphatic malformations. We also summarize transgenic mouse models for some of these malformations. It seems reasonable to believe that novel therapeutic strategies will soon emerge for the treatment of hemangiomas and vascular malformations.
Key Words: vascular malformation • angiogenesis • lymphangiogenesis