Role of placenta growth factor in cancer and inflammation

Abstract

Accumulating evidences have documented that angiogenesis is closely linked to inflammation and regulators of angiogenesis play key roles in various inflammatory conditions. PlGF is an angiogenic protein belonging to the VEGF family and is upregulated mainly in pathologic conditions. Recently, PlGF was discovered having a proinflammatory role in inflammatory arthritis and its serum level drew attention not only as a useful surrogate biomarker but also a potential therapeutic target in atherosclerosis and various cancers. Particularly, PlGF has attractive clinical values because endogenous PlGF is redundant for vascular development and physiological vessel maintenance in healthy adults. However, there have been conflicting results about the efficacy of PlGF inhibition depending on the experimental and clinical settings. Further close investigations for resolving the puzzle of PlGF biology are required.

Angiogenic factors and inflammation in steroid-refractory acute graft-vs-host disease

“…PlGF is involved in regulation of cutaneous inflammation and edema [56], and it causes an increase in production of TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-8, MIP-1 beta, and MCP-1 from monocytes [57]. In the circulation, PlGF levels have been shown to increase with VEGF-A blockade for treatment of solid tumors [58] as well as in several inflammatory conditions [59]. …”

A new angiogenesis prognostic index with VEGFA, PlGF, and angiopoietin1 predicts survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer

“…PlGF stimulates the proliferation of endothelial cells and indirectly upregulates the expression of various proangiogenic factors including VEGFA, FGF2, and PDGFB (29). Previous reports suggested that plasma PlGF levels are upregulated and correlated with survival in various cancers (12)(13)(14).…”

Angiogenic factors in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL): Where do we stand?

“…What is more, macrophages are essential secretors of vital cytokines, such as TNF-␣ and IL-6 [93], as well as chemokines and angiogenic factors. Therefore, their recruitment is of utmost relevance in inflammation and angiogenesis related processes.…”

“…Outstandingly, PlGF recruits and activates macrophages indirectly through VEGFR1 signalling [93]. Blocking PIGF inhibits macrophage recruitment, preventing initiation of the angiogenic rescue program [96].…”