Angiogenesis refers to the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vascular
structures, i.e. capillaries and post-capillary venules. This process occurs in different
conditions, such as embryo development and post-natal tissue growth, inflammation like wound
healing and chronic allergies, and cancer. Both structural cells and inflammatory cells in the
different tissues are involved in the mechanisms of endothelial cell proliferation, migration and
activation, through the production and release of a large spectrum of pro-angiogenic mediators.
These may create the specific micro-environment that favours an increased rate of tissue
vascularization. In this review, we will present the most recent findings on the contribution of
inflammatory cells to the development and progression of inflammation-associated
angiogenesis. We will also provide some insight of the complex signaling network, which links
each inflammatory cell to the surrounding scenario.
