Abstract
Presentation Description :
Extracellular matrix, in the form of basement membrane, is a central component of vasculature. Matrix also provides an essential substrate for blood vessel growth and different matrix components provide templates for retinal vascular development and pathological angiogenesis. Whilst some matrix components stimulate angiogenesis/vasculogenesis, others inhibit the process. These stimulatory and inhibitory matrix components induce outside-to-inside signalling in endothelial cells, particularly through integrins; so matrix makes an important contribution to the angiogenic balance in the retina and adjacent structures.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.