Role of nitric oxide in the angiogenesis of avascular tissue.

A number of independent lines of evidence converge indicating a role for nitric oxide (NO) in angiogenesis. Our data support the existence of an autocrine loop exerted by microvascular endothelium in angiogenesis which involves NO production, cyclic GMP elevation and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) expression. Our results indicate that NO production significantly contributes to the growth-promoting effect of vasodilating peptides and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but not for that of FGF-2. On these basis, the nitric oxide pathway appears to be a promising target to be considered in pro- and anti-angiogenic therapeutic strategies.