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Figure 2 | Arthritis Research & Therapy

Figure 2

From: Vasculopathy and disordered angiogenesis in selected rheumatic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis

Figure 2

Potential mechanism of action of some adhesion molecules and cytokines involved in angiogenesis in RA. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α act via αvβ3 integrin. In contrast, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β appear to act via increasing protein kinase C (PKC) with subsequent action on αvβ5 integrin. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 is proteolytically cleaved into a PEX fragment (a noncatalytic MMP fragment with integrin-binding activity) that acts as a negative regulator of angiogenesis. RA, rheumatoid arthritis. Adapted with permission from Koch. Arthritis Rheum 1998 © John Wiley & Sons/American College of Rheumatology [71].

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