Recent advances in cutaneous angiogenesis.

An understanding of the molecular basis of angiogenesis is key to the appreciation of many of the advances made in the field of neovascularization over the past two decades. The sequence of events involved in angiogenesis includes: (i) increased vascular permeability and leakage; (ii) degradation of basement membrane; (iii) endothelial cell proliferation and migration through the surrounding extracellular matrix; and (iv) maturation and stabilization of the newly formed vessel bed. This review provides an update on the molecular basis of such pathways in the skin, with particular emphasis on the endothelial cell-specific vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietins as modulators of angiogenesis that can be targeted in therapy of cutaneous disease.