Vascular permeability factor, tumor angiogenesis and stroma generation.
Vascular permeability factor (VPF/VEGF) is a highly conserved multifunctional cytokine that acts directly on endothelial cells (ECs) to activate phospholipase C and induce [CA2+]i transients. Two high-affinity receptors, both tyrosine kinases, have been described. VPF/VEGF has at least two important roles in tumor biology: (1) it potently increases microvascular permeability to plasma proteins, thereby modifying the tumor extracellular matrix to promote the ingrowth of fibroblasts and new blood vessels, and (2) it is a selective EC mitogen. VPF/VEGF is also involved in several other nonmalignant processes with a pathogenesis analogous to that of tumor stroma generation, including wound healing and rheumatoid arthritis.
Senger
D R
DR
Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Brown
L F
LF
Claffey
K P
KP
Dvorak
H F
HF
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors