Several biological processes have been responsible for the development of body structure. The formation of the body of living organisms is the most complex procedure.
Countless things are involved in the formation of the body. Angiogenesis and Vasculogenesis are two such procedures that are frequently talked about when it comes to blood vessels formation.
Key Takeaways
- Angiogenesis involves the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, while vasculogenesis is the formation of blood vessels from endothelial progenitor cells during embryonic development.
- Angiogenesis primarily occurs in adults during wound healing and tissue repair, whereas vasculogenesis occurs in developing embryos.
- Angiogenesis relies on endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation, while vasculogenesis involves the de novo formation of blood vessels.
Angiogenesis vs Vasculogenesis
The difference between Angiogenesis and Vasculogenesis is that Angiogenesis is the process that forms new blood vessels from the previously present blood vessels. On the other hand, Vasculogenesis is the process that initiates the formation of brand-new blood vessels. Talking about an order, Vasculogenesis is the first progress before Angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis is a process in which new blood vessels are formed from the existing blood vessels.
To understand it better, when a tumour in a body and its cells get divided constantly because of mutation, it forms new blood vessels.
It is known to be the initial stage of Angiogenesis.
Vasculogenesis is considered progressive and responsible for the formation of blood vessels in the body.
The element required for the initial stage of Vasculogenesis is cells that are known as endothelial. Endothelial cells collide with one another and form a vascular network.
This network results in the formation of a new blood vessel.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | Angiogenesis | Vasculogenesis |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Vasculogenesis is a process that is required to form blood vessels in living organisms. | Vasculogenesis is a process in which blood vessels are formed from endothelial cells formed from stem cells. |
| Process | Angiogenesis is a type of response to VEGF and is seen as the sprouting of blood vessels. | Angiogenesis naturally occurs to repair damaged tissues and quite frequently in tumors. |
| Afflicted areas | Occurrence of Vasculogenesis is mostly found in the brain or heart. It mostly occurs in embryos. | Angiogenesis exists to aid damaged tissues, in other words, to treat any cellular injury. |
| Functionality | Vasculogenesis exists to fulfil all the requirements necessary in the development of the circulatory system in living organisms. | Angiogenesis is a vital factor to develop and spread tumor cells across the body, it assists them. |
| Association with illness | Since Vasculogenesis is the primitive and initial stage of blood vessel formation, it doesn’t have any link to cancer. | Since Vasculogenesis is the primitive and initial stage of blood vessels formation, it doesn’t have any link to cancer. |
What is Angiogenesis?
Angiogenesis is a natural process that occurs in the body of living organisms. The term Angiogenesis is made of two words: angio, which means blood, and the second is genesis, which means formation.
The term Angiogenesis came to the conception a few centuries, but this concept was understood better after the 1970s when it was claimed that Angiogenesis is liable for the growth of tumours.
The concept was simple,: if the formation of new blood vessels can be prevented,, it can also lead to a situation where the tumour doesn’t grow at all.
Depending on the context, it can be both good and harmful.
For example, when a fetus inside the womb develops into the human body, it is because of Angiogenesis.
Hence, it is considered good when it works to repair tissues. But it can be life-threatening in the case of cancer. Angiogenesis is considered to be the leading cause of cancer.
Because it helps the tumour to grow and get developed, then spread it throughout the body.
It has also been said that a tumour can’t grow without being nourished by the Angiogenesis process.
Many drugs have experimented and in the year 2004, a drug got approved to be used to pause the Angiogenesis process when a tumour is growing inside the body.
What is Vasculogenesis?
Vasculogenesis is required to develop and expand the circulatory system that, includes arteries and the heart, primarily in embryos.
Vasculogenesis has always been referred to as the growth of veins, arteries, lymphatic vessels, etc. It is the very initial stage that is liable for the formation of new blood vessels in embryos.
The Vasculogenesis process can also take place in the body of an adult. In Vasculogenesis, there are cells known as angioblasts,, which develop into endothelial cells.
In other words, the Vasculogenesis process begins from the angioblasts cells. Mesoderm tissue that produces stem cells can also be considered before angioblasts since stem cells are the ones that are accountable for shaping the angioblasts cells.
The endothelial cells are the very elements that, ultimately result in the blood vessels. Vasculogenesis is one of the most critical processes for developing body structure.
It occurs in embryos and provides new blood vessels.
The places primarily under the influence of Vasculogenesis are the brain and heart, but it is not limited to only these areas.
A process biologically known as FGF (fibroblast growth factor) is the primary factor since it transmits signals to the tissues about the repairing and development of cells.
Main Differences Between Angiogenesis and Vasculogenesis
- Angiogenesis is required to form a de novo capillary tube from the existing capillaries, while Vasculogenesis is required in the remodelling of present channels based on precursor cells.
- In Angiogenesis, pre-existing blood vessels help new blood vessels to emerge, while in Vasculogenesis, endothelial cells are required to form new blood vessels.
- An adult’s body can be the place for Angiogenesis, while Vasculogenesis mostly occurs in embryos to facilitate it with new blood vessels.
- The biological process of Angiogenesis has a significant role in the development of tumours, while Vasculogenesis has nothing to do with this disease.
- The damaged tissues are healed because of Angiogenesis. On the other hand, The circulatory system is monitored by Vasculogenesis.
- https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.med.57.121304.131306
- https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.cb.11.110195.000445
Last Updated : 02 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Great information. Thank you for sharing a detailed explanation of the complexities of Angiogenesis and Vasculogenesis biological processes.
This article is quite informative, and I appreciate the way it has highlighted the difference between Angiogenesis and Vasculogenesis.
Nice. There is much to be learned from this piece, however, more attention could be paid to therapies based on these processes.
Indeed, more practical application insights would enhance the reading experience.
The rich information provided in this article serves as a powerful resource in understanding the biological processes involved in the development of body structure.
The development of body structures is quite complex, but one that is of great importance in the biological field.
This article is so insightful. It is quite ironic that the biological processes intended for healing are also the ones that can contribute to the growth of tumors.