title: Vascular endothelial growth factor: therapeutic possibilities and challenges for the treatment of ischemia.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a notable chemokine that plays critical roles in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. The contemporary body of literature contains a substantial amount of information regarding its chemical properties as well as its fundamental role in vascular development. Studies strongly indicate its potential use as a therapeutic agent, especially in the vascular restoration of injured and ischemic tissues. VEGF therapy could be most beneficial for diseases whose pathologies revolve around tissue inflammation and necrosis, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as ischemic bowel diseases such as acute mesenteric ischemia and necrotizing enterocolitis. However, a delicate balance exists between the therapeutic benefits of VEGF and the hazards of tumor growth and neo-angiogenesis. Effective future research surrounding VEGF may allow for the development of effective therapies for ischemia which simultaneously limit its more deleterious side effects. This review will: (1) summarize the current understanding of the molecular aspects and function of VEGF, (2) review potential benefits of its use in medical therapy, (3) denote its role in tumorigenesis and inflammation when overexpressed, and (4) elucidate the qualities which make it a viable compound of study for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
authors.forename: Trevor D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Crafts
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
authors.forename: Amanda R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
authors.forename: Ethan C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Blocher-Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States. Electronic address: tmarkel@iupui.edu.
authors.forename: Troy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Markel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018450:Disease Progression; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000503:physiopathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D015398:Signal Transduction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Human development; Infarction; Injury; Ischemia; Vascular endothelial growth factor