Disease relevance of VEGF

• Direct hypoxic regulation of VEGF expression by macroglia was demonstrated in primary cultures of astrocytes and in cells of a glioma line [1].
• In FMCs the proportion of VEGF-positive cells was significantly higher in papillary and solid carcinomas than in tubular and papillary cystic tumors [2].
• These results indicate that VEGF mRNA abundance is regulated during retinal vascularization and is increased in relation to oxygen induced neovascularization, suggesting that VEGF may play an important role in both normal retinal vessel development and in the pathophysiology of retinopathy of prematurity [3].

High impact information on VEGF

• Expression of the high affinity flk-1 receptor for VEGF was demonstrated in newly formed retinal vessels, confirming that the secreted VEGF acts on the vessels, in a paracrine fashion [1].
• In the axon layer, VEGF is expressed transiently by astrocytes as they spread across the layer, closely preceding the formation of superficial vessels [1].
• Development of retinal vasculature is mediated by hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression by neuroglia [1].
• CONCLUSIONS: The BVO increased overall protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the cat retina in association with increase of angiogenic growth factors (VEGF and bFGF) and activation of two signal proteins (PLC gamma and MAPK) in the tyrosine kinase pathways [4].
• RESULTS: The expression of VEGF in the innermost layers of retina fell in hyperoxia and increased on return to room air [5].

Anatomical context of VEGF

• In response they secrete VEGF, inducing formation of the superficial and deep layers of retinal vessels, respectively [1].
• The temporal and spatial expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) mRNA was studied in normal developing cat retina, and in oxygen induced retinopathy [3].
• Normal mammary gland tissues showed an inconspicuous VEGF staining [2].
• The VEGF expression was significantly correlated with the clinical outcome, but no correlation was observed with the invasion of lymphatic vessels [2].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of VEGF

• We have studied the role of the hypoxia-inducible angiogenic growth factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the induction and control of vessel growth in the developing retina of rats and cats, using in situ hybridization techniques [1].

References