| Activation and proliferation of Vascular Endothelial Cells (VEC) have key functions in angiogenesis [Pan X, et al, 2004]. Apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells has important roles in anticancer therapeutics and in regulation of angiogenesis [Greenberger S, et al, 2004]. The research on the mechanisms of VEC apoptosis will offer theory basics for the anti-angiogenesis therapeutics. On the other hand, angiogenesis is necessary for normal physiological processes, such as embryonic development and wound repair [Romagnani P, et al, 2004]. Pathologic angiogenesis caused by VEC apoptosis abnormalities will cause many diseases, such as chronic inflammation and dysplastic transformation. Thus, clarifying of the mechanisms of VEC apoptosis might provide a successful therapeutic approach in diseases caused by abnormal angiogenesis.HUVEC is an excellent model for research on the VEC apoptosis. So far, VEC apoptosis induced by deprivation of FGF-2 and serum has been well studied. In vivo, VEC survival and growth are maintained in the presence of serum and growth factors. But how to trigger VEC apoptosis in the presence of FGF-2 and serum is not well known.Several lines of evidence suggest a link between angiogenesis and Akt/NOS signal pathway. But its function in VEC apoptosis was not well understood.Fas (APO-1 or CD95) is a type I membrane protein. It functions to transmit a death signal in many kinds of cells. But it is difficult to activate APO-1/Fas pathway in VECs. In fact, some apoptosis inducers can induce Fas mediated VEC apoptosis. Its function in VEC apoptosis needs further research.Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that ROS act as important signals in apoptosis. They run different functions according to their endocellular production. Because apoptosis inducers can induce diversity levels of ROS, the functions of ROS in VEC apoptosis induced by various apoptosis inducers were not well understood.Our recent research further demonstrated that integrin β4, PC-PLC and P53 were...
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