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An Angiogenic Cell?
a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology and VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Words: osteoclast • angiogenesis • bone
Address for correspondence: G. David Roodman, M.D., Ph.D., VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, R&D 151-U, Room 2E-113, University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA 15240. Voice: 412-688-6571; fax: 412-688-6960. roodmangd{at}upmc.edu
There have been reports recently that the osteoclast stimulates angiogenesis in vitro. We review the evidence suggesting that the osteoclast directly stimulates angiogenesis, and discuss the feasibility of the hypothesis that the osteoclast can be a proangiogenic cell. Reasons supporting the feasibility of this hypothesis include proangiogenic factors produced by osteoclasts, the angiogenic effects of macrophages, the antiangiogenic effects of nitrogen containing bisphosphonates, and the physical proximity of osteoclasts to endothelial cells.
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