Vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a prime regulator of endothelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and vascular permeability. Its activity is mediated by the high affinity tyrosine kinase receptors, KDR/Fik-1 and Fit-1. In this article, recently discovered structural, molecular and biological properties of VEGF are described. Among the topics discussed are VEGF and VEGF receptor structure and bioactivity, the regulation of VEGF expression, the role of VEGF and its receptors in vascular development, and the involvement of VEGF and its receptors in normal and pathological (ocular and tumor) angiogenesis.
Klagsbrun
M
M
Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. klagsbrun@al.tch.harvard.edu
D'Amore
P A
PA
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply; D005544:Forecasting; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor