Angiogenesis and proteinases: influence on vascular morphogenesis, stabilization and regression

Proteinases play a key role during angiogenesis and have been implicated in vascular morphogenesis, stabilization and regression. Major advances have identified specific proteinases and their inhibitors that separately control these processes. Relevant proteinases include cell surface or soluble metalloproteinases, serine proteinases and cathepsins that affect these events and a crucial issue concerns how these proteinases are balanced by their inhibitors to affect tissue vascularization. Importantly, heterotypic communication of endothelial cells with vessel supporting cells such as pericytes controls proteinase and inhibitor expression to regulate these processes.