Fibronectin Fibrillogenesis During Angiogenesis

Vascular basement membrane is a critical regulator of angiogenesis. Fibronectin, a component of the vascular matrix, acts as a scaffold between the endothelial and perivascular cells that guide the assembly of other matrix components like the laminins and collagen IV. Fibronectin is unique in being the only extracellular matrix protein present in both soluble and insoluble forms. Fibronectin is secreted as a dimeric glycoprotein that can self-assemble into a network of fibrils. The process of fibronectin fibrillogenesis is carefully tuned according to extracellular cues to regulate the multistep angiogenic processes. This chapter details the regulators of fibronectin remodelling in endothelial cells and the role of fibronectin secretion and fibrillogenesis in guiding physiological and pathophysiological angiogenesis.