Urotensin-II-stimulated expression of pro-angiogenic factors in human vascular endothelial cells

► Endothelial cells exhibit a strong in vitro angiogenic response to urotensin-II. ► At short time following stimulation the effect was shown to be direct. ► At longer time the delayed production of other pro-angiogenic factors was observed. ► Urotensin-II can enhance the angiogenic process also indirectly.