Understanding how angiogenesis "works" and how to control it will have massive implications on the management, treatments, and ultimately the prevention of many common (and not so common) diseases. Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels and is an important natural process in the body. A healthy body maintains a perfect balance of angiogenesis modulators. In many serious disease states, however, the body loses control over angiogenesis. Diseases that are angiogenesis-dependent result when blood vessels either grow excessively or insufficiently.
* Tried-and-tested techniques written by researchers that developed them, used them, and brought them to fruition
* Provides the "builder's manual" for essential techniques--a one-stop shop that eliminates needless searching among untested techniques
* Includes step-by-step methods for understanding the cell and molecular basis of wound healing, vascular integrin signaling, mechanical signaling in blood vessels, and vascular proteomics

Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels and is an important natural process in the body. A healthy body maintains a perfect balance of angiogenesis modulators. In many serious disease states, however, the body loses control over angiogenesis. Diseases that are angiogenesis-dependent result when blood vessels either grow excessively or insufficiently. Understanding how angiogenesis "works" and how to control it, will have massive implications on the management, treatments, and ultimately the prevention of many common (and not so common) diseases.
Angiogenesis cuts across virtually every discipline. The Angiogenesis Foundation identified angiogenesis as a "common denominator" in our most serious diseases. Excessive angiogenesis occurs in diseases such as cancer, diabetic blindness, age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and many other conditions. Insufficient angiogenesis occurs in diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and delayed wound healing.

* Tried-and-tested techniques written by researchers that developed them, used them, and brought them to fruition.
* Provides the "builder's manual" for essential techniques. This is a one-stop shop that eliminates needless searching among untested techniques.
* Includes step-by-step methods for understanding the cell and molecular basis of wound healing, vascular integrin signaling, mechanical signaling in blood vessels, and vascular proteomics

Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels and is an important natural process in the body. A healthy body maintains a perfect balance of angiogenesis modulators. In many serious disease states, however, the body loses control over antiogenesis. Diseases that are angiogensis-dependent result when blood vessels either grow excessively or insufficiently.
* Tried-and-tested techniques written by researchers that developed them, used them, and brought them to fruition
* Provides the "builder's manual" for essential techniques--a one-stop shop that eliminates needless searching among untested techniques
* Includes step-by-step methods for understanding the cell and molecular basis of wound healing, vascular integrin signaling, mechanical signaling in blood vessels, and vascular proteomics

An integrin, or integrin receptor, is an integral membrane protein in the plasma membrane of cells. It plays a role in the attachment of a cell to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and to other cells, and in signal transduction from the ECM to the cell. There are many types of integrin, and many cells have multiple types on their surface. Integrins are of vital importance to all metazoans, from humans to sponges. This volume in Methods in Enzymology presents methods for studying integrins.

Integrins: Molecular and Biological Responses to the Extracellular Matrix will help basic, applied, and clinical researchers keep up with the explosion of literature on the integrin family of proteins. This volume extends material previously covered in "Receptors for Extracellular Matrix." It addresses some of the most exciting areas of integrin biology, including the varied roles of integrins in cell division, differentiation, movement, wound healing, inflammation, thrombosis, osteoporosis, and cancer.
Key Features
* Describes key aspects of integrin structure, function, and biology
* Covers collagen receptors, epithelial cell integrins, leukocyte integrins, platelet integrins, integrin signaling, and integrin antagonists
* Investigates the expression and role of integrins during development and in the cytoskeleton
* Includes the actions and influences of integrins in inflammation, thrombosis, and osteoporosis