Novel roles of perivascular nerves on neovascularization.

Neovascularization, including angiogenesis, arteriogenesis and vasculogenesis, occurs in physiological and pathological state. Efficient and controlled reconstruction of functional vascular network is necessary. Nerves and blood vessels establish intricate branching network in every organ which share anatomical and functional characteristics. Nerves direct vessel branching patterns and arterial differentiation in the developmental embryonic limb skin. Various neurotransmitters exert antiapoptotic, chemotactic and proliferative effect on EC and SMC, and modulate all the phases of neovascularization. Hence, we proposed that the perivascular nerves may play critical roles in neovascularization.