VEGF-A

Alias: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

VEGF-A is a growth factor and the central mediator that promotes angiogenesis. VEGFA is active in angiogenesis, vascularization, and endothelial cell growth/survival. It stimulates the secretion and activation of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes. VEGF helps maintain immature vascularization and induces various anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and A1 that help promote cell survival. VEGF also induces angiogenic effects on endothelial cells by binding to the receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR1/FLT1 and VEGFR2/KDR where it activates various signaling pathways that include Ras/ERK, p38, FAK, PLCγ, and PI3K/AKT. Additionally, VEGF has a potent roll in neovascularization of tumors. Various tumor cell types express VEGF which helps maintains it viability and vascularization. VEGFA consists of various isoforms that include VEGF121 that is acidic and is freely secreted. VEGF145 and VEGF165 that binds to Neuropilin-1 , and VEGF189 is cell associated after secretion and released as a soluble form by heparin or plasmin.