Structure and Function of VEGF/VEGF-receptor System Involved in Angiogenesis.

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Angiogenesis is an essential biological process not only in embryogenesis but also in the progression of a variety of major diseases such as cancer, diabetes and inflammation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and its receptor system has been shown to be the fundamental regulator in the cell signaling of angiogenesis. Other systems, Angiopoietin-Tie and EphrinB2-Eph4B etc. are also involved in and cooperate with VEGF system to establish the dynamic blood vessel structures. VEGF receptor belongs to PDGF receptor supergene family, and carries seven Ig-domains in the extracellular region and a tyrosine kinase domain in the intracellular region. Three members of VEGF receptor family, Flt-1, KDR/Flk-1 and Flt-4, have unique characteristics in terms of the signal transduction, and regulate angiogenesis, lymphangiongenesis and vascular permeability. Further studies on VEGF-VEGF receptor system may significantly facilitate our understanding on the physiological as well as pathological vascular systems in the body and the development of new strategies to control and suppress the major diseases in humans.

Inhibition of metastatic potential in colorectal carcinoma in vivo and in vitro using immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs)

“…Paracrine communications between tumour cells and endothelial cells exist to initiate, propagate and support tumour cells, and involve cross-talk between a number of chemokines, such as VEGF, IL-8 and IL-2 and their receptors (De Luca et al, 2008). In particular, the VEGF-R family, including VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, is known to be a crucial mediator of metastasis in vivo (Shibuya, 2001). These in turn, impact intracellular signalling cascades, such as MAPK and PI3-K (Reddy et al, 2003;Chan, 2004) Effect of thalidomide and pomalidomide on VEGF-R1 expression in pulmonary metastases.…”

Association of plasma VEGF-A, soluble VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 levels and clinical response and survival in advanced colorectal cancer patients receiving bevacizumab with modified FOLFOX6

“…the VegF family consists of related homodimeric glycoproteins, including VegF-A (also called VegF), -B, -c, -D and -E. It is known that VEGF-A binds to two types of cell membrane receptors: VegF (VegFr)-1 and VegFr-2, located in the endothelium. Moreover, VegF-A stimulates endothelial migration, proliferation, permeability and survival (14,15). In addition to these receptors, circulating soluble forms of VegFr-1 (sVegFr-1) and VegFr-2 (sVegFr-2) have attracted attention as potential biomarkers of various malignancies.…”

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the progression of diabetic vascular complications

“…VEGF family and its receptor system has been shown to be the fundamental regulator of cell signalling of angiogenesis. 3 VEGFs are endogenously produced vascular cytokines, which result in angiogenesis, vasodilatation, and increased microvascular permeability in vivo. They are endothelial specific and result in mitosis, migration, stress fibre formation, and increased permeability of endothelial cells.…”