VEGF Family

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a heparin-binding homodimeric glycoprotein that acts by binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), including VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR/FIk1), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). In human tissues, the VEGF family consists of VEGFA, VEGFB, VEGFC, VEGFD, and placental growth factor (PLGF). VEGF plays an important role in the formation of new blood vessels. Since VEGF induces the development of already existing blood vessels or neovascularization, it is essential for embryonic development and vascular repair. VEGF increases vascular permeability and promotes the growth of lymphatic endothelial cells. Therefore, dysregulation of any of the receptor genes of the VEGF family may lead to embryonic death due to failure of vascular development.

Figure 1. The VEGF family of growth factors. (Lange C, et al., 2016)

• VEGF-A

VEGF-A, also known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is a potent mediator of fetal and adult angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. It is a member of the PDGF family. VEGF binds to VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. VEGF-A is required during embryogenesis to regulate endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival. In addition, VEGF-A acts in wound healing and the female reproductive cycle. Pathologically, it is involved in tumor angiogenesis and vascular leakage. Circulating VEGF-A levels are associated with disease activity in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

• VEGF-B

In contrast to VEGF-A, VEGF-B plays a less pronounced role in the vascular system and maintains newly formed blood vessels only under pathological conditions. VEGF-B has been identified as a potent neuroprotective factor and inhibitor of apoptosis in different types of neurons and is important for the protection of neurons in the retina and cerebral cortex in motor neuron diseases (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) during strokes and in the retina of motor neurons. VEGF-B exerts its effects through the FLT1 receptor. VEGF-B was found to control endothelial cell uptake and fatty acid transport in the heart and skeletal muscle.

• VEGF-C

VEGF-C mainly binds to VEGFR3 and is involved in lymphangiogenesis. VEGF-C was found to be significantly upregulated in its gene expression level after both ventricular cryoinjury and resection, and intraperitoneal injection of VEGF-C improved cardiac output and performance after myocardial infarction in adult mouse hearts. In addition, VEGF-C regulates neovascularization in different developmental settings.

• VEGF-D

VEGF-D is structurally and functionally similar to VEGF-C and is primarily involved in vascular regeneration, lymphangiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth. VEGF-D is overexpressed in tissues from a variety of human diseases. VEGF-D test is mainly used for clinical tumor screening, and it has been found that overexpression of VEGF-D is highly correlated with lymph node metastasis.

• PLGF

PLGF is a reference indicator for assessing placental growth and development and mainly binds to VEGFR-1 to regulate vascular growth and maturation by affecting endothelial and mural cells. PLGF can induce proliferation, migration, and activation of microvascular endothelial cells, as well as regulate the growth of endothelial cells. On the other hand, PLGF can inhibit trophoblast apoptosis due to the reduction of cell growth factor.

Our Product List

• Recombinant Human VEGFA protein, His-tag, GMP Grade
• Recombinant Mouse VEGFA protein, His-tag, GMP Grade
• Recombinant Human VEGFR Protein, Fc-tag, GMP Grade

Creative BioMart is engaged in providing a range of high-quality GMP-grade VEGF family cytokines and related customization services to advance the study of angiogenesis and development. If you are interested in our services or products, please contact us.