Angiogenesis control in spine regeneration

The intervertebral disc (IVD) has a complex vascularisation pattern. While the nucleus pulposus is avascular, the annulus fibrosus as well as the endplates are vascularised. IVD degeneration is often accompanied, on the one hand, by blood vessel ingrowth into the nucleus pulposus and, on the other hand, by diminished vascularisation of the endplates. Tissue engineering of IVD, therefore, has to address the differences in the vascularisation of IVD compartments. This chapter summarises current knowledge about the mechanisms of angiogenesis and its physiological and pathological role in IVD biology. Different strategies to control angiogenesis are discussed in the chapter with examples from bone tissue engineering, ophthalmological and oncological disorders.