Role of nitric oxide in the angiogenesis of avascular tissue

A number of independent lines of evidence converge indicating a role for ni tric oxide (NO) in angiogenesis. Our data support the existence of an autoc rine loop exerted by microvascular endothelium in angiogenesis which involv es NO production, cyclic GMP elevation and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF- 2) expression. Our results indicate that NO production significantly contri butes to the growth-promoting effect of vasodilating peptides and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but not for that of FGF-2. On these basis , the nitric oxide pathway appears to be a promising target to be considere d in pro- and anti-angiogenic therapeutic strategies.