Cellular and Molecular Heterogeneity Associated with Vessel Formation Processes

Figure 1

Realms of heterogeneity in vessel formation and maintenance. Heterogeneity can be constantly seen in the articulation of different processes of neovascularisation when building and adapting a vascular network. Those networks are site- and context-specific, with variations in the many levels of structural and functional organisation, from the systemic interaction in blood-organ barriers to intravessel diversity in cell morphology and molecular profiles and regulation, which occur both in health and disease, during embryogenesis and postnatal life. eNOS: endothelial nitric oxide synthase. ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme. Layered macrovessel image: adapted from http://aibolita.com/sundries/12808-blood-vessel-tunics.html.