Antagonising the expression of VEGF in pathological angiogenesis

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the prototype of a subfamily of five growth factors sharing structural homologies with the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) protein superfamily. The VEGFs are potent mitogens specific for endothelial cells of the blood or lymphatic vasculature and are effective modulators of vessel permeability in the normal physiological processes of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. VEGF appears to be a significant promoter of the inappropriate angiogenesis that sustains tumour growth and metastasis, inflammatory joint disease and diabetic retinopathy. Understanding the cell biology and control of VEGF expression has led to the development of several strategies for antagonising the pathological angiogenesis associated with these common diseases. This review describes these promising approaches in the context of current understanding of VEGF biology.

• angiogenesis
• vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
• vascular permeability
• VEGF antagonists
• VEGF receptors