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AAT Bioquest

What is the difference between angiogenesis and vasculogenesis?

Posted April 24, 2020


Answer

Vasculogenesis is, in short, the creation of new blood vessels; in an embryo, vasculogenesis involves differentiation of angioblasts and is responsible for the basic formation of a vascular network. On the other hand, angiogenesis is the sprouting of new blood vessels from existing ones, thereby expanding the network. Vasculogenesis mainly occurs only during embryonic development, but angiogenesis can take place in adults during the healing of injured tissues, organ growth, or pregnancy.

Additional resources

Patan S. (2004). Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Cancer treatment and research, 117, 3–32. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-8871-3_1

Vailhé, B., Vittet, D. & Feige, J. (2001). In Vitro Models of Vasculogenesis and Angiogenesis. Lab Invest, 81, 439–452. doi:10.1038/labinvest.3780252