- Mice lacking the vascular endothelial growth factor-B gene (Vegfb) have smaller hearts, dysfunctional coronary vasculature, and impaired recovery from cardiac ischemia. Bellomo, D., Headrick, J.P., Silins, G.U., Paterson, C.A., Thomas, P.S., Gartside, M., Mould, A., Cahill, M.M., Tonks, I.D., Grimmond, S.M., Townson, S., Wells, C., Little, M., Cummings, M.C., Hayward, N.K., Kay, G.F. Circ. Res. (2000)