Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (16): 4154-4165.doi: 10.12307/2026.658

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H-type angiogenesis and its role in various skeletal disease animal models

Peng Hao1, Jiang Yang1, Song Yanping2, Wu Quan3, Yao Na2, Chen Qigang2, Shen Zhen2   

  1. 1School of Physical Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan Province, China; 2Department of Rehabilitation, 3Department of Geriatrics, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650011, Yunnan Province, China 
  • Received:2025-04-27 Accepted:2025-08-05 Online:2026-06-08 Published:2025-11-28
  • Contact: Chen Qigang, Chief physician, Professor, Master’s supervisor, Department of Rehabilitation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650011, Yunnan Province, China Co-corresponding author: Shen Zhen, PhD, Attending physician, Department of Rehabilitation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650011, Yunnan Province, China
  • About author:Peng Hao, PhD candidate, School of Physical Education, Normal University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan Province, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82360943 (to SZ); Research Program of Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department, Nos. 20221AU070120 and 202101AZ070001-123 (both to SZ); Young Talent Special Project of Yunnan Province “Xingdian Yingcai” Support Program, No. XDYC-QNRC-2022-0609 (to SZ)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: H-type blood vessels provide new perspectives and entry points for a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of vascular-mediated bone metabolism due to their unique functions. 
OBJECTIVE: To explore the generation mechanisms of H-type blood vessels in various animal models of skeletal diseases and their effects on bone metabolism.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted for H-type blood vessel-related literature in both Chinese and English from January 2014 to February 2025 across databases including CNKI, VIP, WanFang, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Duplicate and non-qualifying studies were excluded, and a systematic analysis was performed on 141 selected articles addressing H-type blood vessels in different skeletal disease animal models. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: H-type blood vessels exhibit specific generation mechanisms and biological functions across various skeletal disease models. These vessels play a crucial role in intra-bone angiogenesis and are closely associated with bone metabolism, potentially serving as early biomarkers for assessing bone mass levels. The formation and function of H-type blood vessels differ in different animal models of skeletal diseases. In conditions such as osteoporosis, fractures, and osteonecrosis, promoting the expression of H-type blood vessels can significantly enhance vascular remodeling and improve bone regeneration capabilities. Conversely, in malignant skeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis and bone tumors, selectively inhibiting the expression of H-type blood vessels emerges as a potential therapeutic intervention strategy. Furthermore, several key signaling pathways, including hypoxia-inducible factor 1α/vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor BB, and Wnt/β-catenin, have been identified as playing important roles in the generation of H-type blood vessels. This provides new scientific insights into understanding the vessel-mediated regulatory mechanisms of bone metabolism and establishes an important theoretical foundation for the clinical application value of H-type blood vessels as potential therapeutic targets. By analyzing the role of H-type blood vessels in various animal models of skeletal diseases, this study offers critical evidence for further exploration of the mechanisms and therapeutic targets of human musculoskeletal diseases.


Key words: H-type blood vessels, skeletal diseases, animal models, osteoporosis, fracture, bone defect, distraction osteogenesis, Masquelet, osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis, bone tumor, mechanisms of action, systematic review

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