| Abstract: |
Angiogenesis is essential to the development, maintenance, and repair of bone tissue, as well as the survival of engineered tissues. Also, since osteoblasts (OB) are found in close proximity to endothelial cells in areas of new bone formation, it has been postulated that communication exists between these cell populations. Indeed, recent in vitro studies have shown that endothelial cells produce growth factors for OBs. In turn, OBs and osteoprogenitors have been found to produce angiogenic factors, while mature OBs also produce anti-angiogenic factors, suggesting that OBs are capable of modulating angiogenesis in bone in a maturation dependent manner. However, the cellular mechanisms behind OB-endothelial cell interactions during angiogenesis and bone formation remain unclear, particularly the influence of OB maturation. |
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