Figure 1.

The molecular mechanism of angiogenesis mediated by the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. JAK2 is activated and phosphorylated by inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IFN-α, resulting in the phosphorylation of downstream STAT3 and the formation of the p-STAT3 dimer, which is subsequently transferred to the nucleus to promote the expression of particular genes. IL-6, MMP-2, VEGF, and other cytokines are increased, then secreted to the extracellular matrix and act on endothelial cells (ECs), eventually leading to increased angiogenesis.