Introduction
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is a highly specific pro-vascular endothelial cell growth factor, which has the effect of promoting increased vascular permeability, extracellular matrix degeneration, vascular endothelial cell migration, proliferation and angiogenesis.
features
1.Promoting endothelial cell proliferationVEGF is a specific mitogen of vascular endothelial cells, which can promote the growth of vascular endothelial cells in vitro and induce angiogenesis in vivo. Especially in the hypoxic environment, VEGF binds to VEGF receptors on endothelial cell membranes, causing autophosphorylation of the receptors, thereby activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), realizing the mitogen properties of VEGF, and inducing endothelial cell proliferation.
2.Promoting angiogenesisIn a hypoxic environment, VEGF improves the activity of plasma progen-activating factor (PA) and plasma prozymogen inhibitor-L (PAI-1) by increasing the mRNA expression of plasma progen-activating factor (PA), promotes extracellular proteolysis, and then promotes the formation of neocapillaries.
3.Increasing vascular permeabilityVEGF is one of the strongest substances that can increase vascular permeability and is achieved by cellular vesicle apparatus. It is characterized by rapid action and short duration.
4.Altering the extracellular matrixIn a hypoxic environment, VEGF can induce the expression of plasma plasma lysogen activator and plasma lysogen activator inhibitor-1, as well as matrix collagenase and inducible tissue factors in endothelial cells, and stimulate the release of V3 factors from endothelial cells, thereby changing the extracellular matrix and making it easier for vascular growth.
Clinical significance
VEGF is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of many angiogenesis-dependent diseases, including cancer, certain inflammatory diseases, and diabetic retinopathy.