The role of VEGF in normal and neoplastic hematopoiesis.
VEGF is a secreted growth factor that mediates its biological effects by binding to two transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. The VEGF/receptor signaling system is involved in the regulation of two fundamental processes in vertebrates: the formation of blood vessels (angiogenesis) and of blood cells (hematopoiesis). Hematopoietic stem cells, capable of giving rise to all blood cell lineages, are often found in clusters with endothelial cells, the key cell type involved in the formation of blood vessels. Despite such proximity of VEGF-responsive cells, hematopoiesis occurs independently of neoangiogenesis in the adult bone marrow, suggesting that VEGF regulates the two processes by different mechanisms. In support of this hypothesis, the recently identified autocrine loop by which VEGF may control hematopoietic stem cell survival and repopulation, is fundamentally different from its paracrine effects regulating angiogenesis. Furthermore, coexpression of VEGF and its receptors, the prerequisite for autocrine loops, is frequently found in lymphomas and myelomas, suggesting that autocrine loops also play a role in hematological malignancies. Several therapeutic strategies blocking VEGF or VEGF-induced signaling are currently being investigated for the treatment of neoplastic diseases. They differ in their potential to interfere with the autocrine or paracrine effector functions of VEGF during angiogenesis, hematopoiesis, and tumor cell proliferation, properties which may ultimately determine their therapeutic potential.
Gerber
Hans-Peter
HP
Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA. gerberhp@gene.com
Ferrara
Napoleone
N
D000818:Animals; D019898:Autocrine Communication; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2