title: Biology of vascular endothelial growth factors.
abstract: Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels are formed from existing vessels. The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are considered as key molecules in the process of angiogenesis. The VEGF family currently includes VEGF-A, -B, -C, -D, -E, -F and placenta growth factor (PlGF), that bind in a distinct pattern to three structurally related receptor tyrosine kinases, denoted VEGF receptor-1, -2, and -3. VEGF-C and VEGF-D also play a crucial role in the process of lymphangiogenesis. Here, we review the biology of VEGFs and evaluate their role in pathological angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Himadri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhardwaj
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ylä-Herttuala
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000166:cytology; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000503:physiopathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A