VEGF(A protein that promotes angiogenesis and is known to be a prognostic factor in several types of tumour) and angiogenesis(The growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels)
Introduction
A large amount of scientific evidence points to the central role of both angiogenesis in tumour(An abnormal growth of cells, forming a mass of tissue) growth and VEGF in angiogenesis. The predominant regulator of this pathological process is VEGF.
VEGF in tumour angiogenesis
This image shows the many effects of the family of VEGF and VEGFRs in tumour angiogenesis. VEGF stimulation of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 on endothelial cells induces endothelial cell proliferation, migration and survival, as well as vascular permeability – all effects that lead to tumour angiogenesis. VEGF may also recruit endothelial progenitor cells and VEGFR-1-expressing myeloid cells to sites of tumour neovascularisation. Finally, VEGF-C and VEGF-D interact with VEGFR-3 on the surface of lymphatic endothelial cells, leading to lymphangiogenesis.1
Hicklin DJ, Ellis LM. J Clin Oncol 2005;23:1011–27. Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Produced in response to a variety of cellular and environmental stimuli, VEGF has been shown to facilitate survival of existing vessels, increase vessel permeability, and stimulate new vessel growth.2–8 Although researchers have learned a great deal about the role of VEGF in tumour biology, further investigation will continue to clarify how VEGF functions in the pathogenic development of tumours.
References
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