Tag Archives: Vascular endothelial growth factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in stimulating abnormal neovascularisation, inflammation and vascular permeability, all factors involved in the pathogenesis of wet AMD. Inhibition of VEGF with intravitreal ranibizumab, pegaptanib and (off-licence) bevacizumab is currently first-line therapy for this condition. However, VEGF plays a pivotal role in maintaining vascular integrity, particularly under conditions of ischaemia and hypoxia. This is particularly significant since most (but not all) studies have suggested that patients with wet AMD have a higher incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke, and becaus

Table 1. Properties and functions VEGF The VEGF system VEGF is not a single protein but rather exists in a number of different isoforms (figure 1). These isoforms differ in the number of amino acids contained in the mature secreted protein and, most importantly, in their solubility and heparin-binding properties.9,10 The solubility of the isoform influences its ability to diffuse in the extracellular space and heparin-binding properties influence the extracellular matrix interactions of the individual isoform. The balance of solubility and heparin binding provides the spatial cues to initiate a precisely branched vessel network.11 A furthe