An appraisal of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): the dynamic molecule of wound healing and its current clinical applications

Abstract

Angiogenesis is a critical step of wound healing, and its failure leads to chronic wounds. The idea of restoring blood flow to the damaged tissues by promoting neo-angiogenesis is lucrative and has been researched extensively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key dynamic molecule of angiogenesis has been investigated for its functions. In this review, we aim to appraise its biology, the comprehensive role of this dynamic molecule in the wound healing process, and how this knowledge has been translated in clinical application in various types of wounds. Although, most laboratory research on the use of VEGF is promising, its clinical applications have not met great expectations. We discuss various lacunae that might exist in making its clinical application unsuccessful for commercial use, and provide insight to the foundation for future research.

Keywords:

• Vascular endothelial growth factor
• wound healing
• angiogenesis
• diabetic ulcer
• venous ulcer
• peripheral arterial disease

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aakansha Giri Goswami

Aakansha Giri Goswami works at Department of General surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.

Somprakas Basu

Somprakas Basu is Professor of Surgery at Department of General surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh 249203, Uttarakhand, India.

Farhanul Huda

Farhanul Huda works at Department of General surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.

Jayanti Pant

Jayanti Pant works at Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.

Amrita Ghosh Kar

Amrita Ghosh Kar works at Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Tuhina Banerjee

Tuhina Banerjee works at Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Vijay Kumar Shukla

Vijay Kumar Shukla works at Department of General Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.