VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR IN HEALTH AND DISEASE: A REVIEW

BACKGROUND \nVascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) has been implicated as a key molecule, which regulates physiological \nangiogenesis. VEGF exerts its molecular actions through Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, differ in \nsignaling properties. VEGF plays a vital role in embryogenesis, growth and reproduction. VEGF as a mediator of pathological \nangiogenesis is associated with proliferation and micrometastasis of various tumours, ocular disorders involving \nneovascularisation, pre-eclampsia, etc. The pathogenesis of micro and macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus and \nthe role of VEGF is being studied extensively. Currently, several pharmacological interventions based on VEGF inhibitors and \nreceptor antagonists have been tried to combat the pathological angiogenesis in a wide gamut of disorders. This review \nattempts to put together important properties, mechanism of action and the role of VEGF in common diseased states. \nCONCLUSION \nEffects of VEGF are widespread and have been implicated in several disease states. Therapeutic modalities targeting VEGF \nhave been tried with success in recent years.