title: The yin and yang of VEGF and PEDF: multifaceted neurotrophic factors and their potential in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease.
abstract: Over the last few decades, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) have emerged as multifaceted players in not only the pathogenesis, but potential treatment, of numerous diseases. They activate diverse intracellular signaling cascades known to have extensive crosstalk, and have been best studied for their effects in cardiology and cancer biology. Recent work with the two factors indicates that the activity of one growth factor is often directly related to the action of the other. Their respective neuroprotective effects, in particular, raise important questions regarding the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson AZ 85724-5023, USA; E-Mails: rtg@email.arizona.edu (R.T.G.); ssherman@u.arizona.edu (S.J.S.).
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sherman
mesh_terms: D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D015843:Serpins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D015843:Serpins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor