Angiogenesis is the growth of new capillary blood vessels from preexisting capillaries and
postcapillary venules. This process is critical for normal growth and development and in
protective responses such as wound healing and inflammation. In healthy adults,
angiogenesis does not normally occur except in certain phases of the female reproductive
cycle. However, aberrant angiogenesis can occur in a variety of pathologic settings. These
include the neovascularization of solid tumors, the growth of vessels into the retina in …

Cell-adhesion mechanisms play a fundamental role during angiogenesis. This article
summarizes the role of various cell-adhesive events in blood vessel formation, including
general aspects of cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. In particular, the authors discuss the
role of integrin αvβ3 in vascular cell survival, proliferation and invasion during the complex
process of angiogenesis.