Functions of Sonic Hedgehog in Angiogenesis

Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway is an important regulating phase in angiogenesis.Sonic Hedgehog could regulate the length, diameter and branching of vessels.Sonic Hedgehog could act upon interstitial mesenchymal cells to secrete an array of angiogenic growth factors and induce the morphogenesis of arterial vessels.Sonic Hedgehog could regulate angiogenesis through three different mechanisms (COUP-TFⅡ , SHH/GLI/SMO and PI3K pathways), and it may become a new potential targeting factor in the research of angiogenesis.