Abstract: Angiogenesis is regulated by the local balance between angiogenesis stimulators and inhibitors. Vasohibin family as a novel regulator of angiogenesis has impact on the process of various pathophysiology. Vasohibin-1 is the only one factor which has been found up to now that regulates angiogenesis by means of negative feedback as the mechanism of action. It is expressed in ECs to terminate angiogenesis. Subsequently one gene homologous to vasohibin-1 was found and designated as vasohibin-2. It is expressed in infiltrating MNCs or cancer cells to stimulate angiogenesis. Furthermore, one binding protein to vasohibin-1 and vasohibin-2 was discovered and renamed as small vasohibin-binding protein (SVBP). The analysis of the function of SVBP revealed that SVBP binds to vasohibin-1 within the cells, makes a heterodimer with vasohibin-1 and facilitates the secretion of vasohibin-1. This article reviews the construction features and biological activities of vasohibin family members and their effects of inhibiting pathology angiogenesis.

Key words: vasohibin, angiogenesis, neovascularization, pathologic, endothelial cells, review