Angiogenesis: An Adaptive Dynamic Biological Patterning Problem

摘要: Formation of functionally adequate vascular networks by angiogenesis presents a problem in biological patterning. Generated without predetermined spatial patterns, must develop hierarchical tree-like structures for efficient convective transport over large distances, combined with dense space-filling meshes short diffusion distances to every point the tissue. Moreover, be capable restructuring response changing functional demands interruption blood flow. Here, theoretical simulations based on experimental data are used demonstrate that this patterning can solved through over-abundant stochastic generation vessels growth factor generated hypoxic tissue regions, parallel refinement structural adaptation and pruning. Essential mechanisms patterns identified impairments properties resulting from defects these predicted. The results provide framework understanding network formation normal or pathological conditions predicting effects therapies targeting angiogenesis.