La Revue de médecine interne
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Endothelial and smooth muscle cells interact with each other to form new blood vessels. In this review, the cellular and molecular mechanism underlying the formation of the primary vascular plexus (vasculogenesis), the sprouting of further blood vessels (angiogenesis) and their maturation via recruitment of smooth muscle cells (arteriogenesis) during physiological and pathological conditions are summarized. ⋯ These concepts are being tested now in clinical trials in the oncology or cardiovascular fields. Some trials are reported in this review with their potential adverse effects, limits and developments in the future.