Hypoxia induces angiogenesis and proliferation in uterine fibroid cells

Angiogenesis is the physiological process by which new blood vessels grow from pre-existing vessels and is a crucial step for tumor growth and development. Multiple angiogenic growth factors are differentially expressed in uterine fibroid compared with myometrium, but the mechanisms regulating fibroid angiogenesis remains still unclear. Oxygen concentration in fibroids was reported to be significantly lower than the surrounding myometrium. The pathophysiologic response of fibroid to hypoxic condition remains largely unknown.
Source: Fertility and Sterility - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Source Type: research