Classification
The most important member is VEGF-A. Other members are Placenta growth factor (PGF), VEGF-B, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. The latter ones were discovered later than VEGF-A, and, before their discovery, VEGF-A was called just VEGF.
A number of VEGF-related proteins have also been discovered encoded by viruses (VEGF-E) and in the venom of some snakes (VEGF-F).
| Type | Function |
|---|---|
| VEGF-A |
|
| VEGF-B | Embryonic angiogenesis (myocardial tissue, specifically) |
| VEGF-C | Lymphangiogenesis |
| VEGF-D | Needed for the development of lymphatic vasculature surrounding lung bronchioles |
| PlGF | Important for Vasculogenesis, Also needed for angiogenesis during ischemia, inflammation, wound healing, and cancer. |
Activity of VEGF-A, as its name implies, has been studied mostly on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g., stimulation monocyte/macrophage migration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells). In vitro, VEGF-A has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesis and cell migration. VEGF-A is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Read more about this topic: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor