In human skeletal muscle, the capillary net readily adapts according to the level of muscular activity to allow for optimal diffusion conditions for oxygen from the blood to the muscle. Animal studies have demonstrated that stimulation of capillary growth in skeletal muscle can occur either by mechanical or by chemical signalling. Mechanical signals originate from shear stress forces on the endothelial cell layer induced by the blood flowing through the vessel, but include also mechanical stretch and compression of the vascular structures and the surrounding tissue, as the muscle contracts. Depending on the mechanical signal provided, capillary growth may occur either by longitudinal splitting (shear stress) or by sprouting (passive stretch). The mechanical signals initiate angiogenic processes by up-regulation or release of angioregulatory proteins that either promote, modulate or inhibit angiogenesis. A number of such regulatory proteins have been described in skeletal muscle in animal and cell models but also in human skeletal muscle. Important pro-angiogenic factors in skeletal muscle are vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and angiopoietin 2, whereas angiostatic factors include thrombospondin-1 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase. Which of these angiogenic factors are up-regulated in the muscle tissue depends on the mechanical and chemical stimulus provided and, consequently, the process by which capillary growth occurs. The present review addresses physiological signals and angiogenic factors in skeletal muscle with a focus on human data.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
December 2014
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Conference Article|
November 17 2014
Capillary growth in human skeletal muscle: physiological factors and the balance between pro-angiogenic and angiostatic factors
Ylva Hellsten;
Ylva Hellsten
1
*Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (emailyhellsten@nexs.ku.dk).
Search for other works by this author on:
Birgitte Hoier
Birgitte Hoier
*Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
July 22 2014
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2014 Biochemical Society
2014
Biochem Soc Trans (2014) 42 (6): 1616–1622.
Article history
Received:
July 22 2014
Citation
Ylva Hellsten, Birgitte Hoier; Capillary growth in human skeletal muscle: physiological factors and the balance between pro-angiogenic and angiostatic factors. Biochem Soc Trans 1 December 2014; 42 (6): 1616–1622. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20140197
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.