Angiogenesis is a process of development of new blood vessels from the existing blood vessels. It is commonly involved in various CNS disorders, such as stroke, epilepsy and tumors, indicating that it might have a role in the progression of MS lesions. The inflammatory components involved in pathogenesis of MS have been observed to play significant role to support angiogenesis. Inter cellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) -1, matrix metalloproteinase -1, -2, -3, -7 and 9 (MMP-1,-2,-3,-7,-9), TNF-α /-β, Interferon – γ (IFN– γ) and many other components are involved in angiogenesis processes of MS. Moreover, MMPs and VEGF play significant role in vascular basement membrane degradation and breakdown of BBB in MS. This indicates that there is a firm link between angiogenesis and chronic inflammation for neovascularization in the progression of MS. Since the inflammation and angiogenic processes are very complex and involve multiple biochemical processes, there are several molecular targets associated with angiogenesis for therapeutic intervention in MS.
Thus, the aim of the present chapter will be to show the link between angiogenesis and inflammatory processes in the progression of multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, the chapter is also focused on the role of molecular targets of angiogenesis process in MS along with their inhibitors or activators from various sources.