The role of extracellular matrix in angiogenesis: Beyond adhesion and structure

Highlights • The native extracellular matrix, characterized by its diverse biochemical compositions, hierarchical microstructure, and dynamic mechanical properties, functions as an angiogenic biomaterial.• Physiological angiogenesis involves a coordinated interplay between growth factor signaling, integrin-mediated mechanosensing, and extracellular matrix dynamics.• Designer synthetic angiogenic biomaterials with tunable material properties offer an in vitro biosystem to investigate vascular biology.• The ECM's role in wound healing and tumor progression underscores its significance in clinical interventions, proposing new therapeutic strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes in angiogenesis-related diseases.