Matrix Pathobiology and Angiogenesis (eBook)

In the vasculature, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, vascular mechanosensing, and blood vessel stability.

This book aims to provide the reader with an overview of the various roles of the ECM during angiogenesis and covers its important role for the maintenance of vascular integrity, capillary and arterial morphogenesis, as well as lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, aspects of regulation of endothelial cell and pericyte functions by the ECM under physiological and pathological conditions are discussed. In addition, the reader will learn more about different approaches to exploit ECM molecules for designing therapeutic approaches or as biomarkers to improve therapeutic decisions.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Matrix Pathobiology and Angiogenesis is a valuable resource for experienced researchers and early career scientist alike, who are interested in in learning more about this exciting and developing field.

The series Biology of Extracellular Matrix is published in collaboration with the American Society for Matrix Biology and the International Society for Matrix Biology.

Prof. Evangelia Papadimitriou is a molecular pharmacologist at the University of Patras. Her research focuses on vascular biology and angiogenesis in health and disease, mostly cancer, with emphasis on the interaction of ECM molecules with angiogenic growth factors and the effect of such interactions on signaling. She preserves collaborations with numerous national and international research labs and has been awarded several national and international research grants. She has authored or co-authored more than 90 peer-reviewed research papers, 16 chapters in books and more than 250 abstracts in conference proceedings. She has edited books on Pharmacology and Angiogenesis in Health and Disease.

After his basic BA, MSc and PhD studies in the University of Patras, and a training period at the German Cancer Research Center, in Heidelberg, Germany, Dr. Constantinos Mikelis migrated to the United States and worked as post-doctoral fellow at the Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch, in the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2014 he became Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the School of Pharmacy at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where in 2021 he was promoted to Associate Professor. The focus of his research program is on vascular physiology in health and disease, with an interest on the role of small GTPases in vascular-related pathological conditions, including cancer.