Abstract
Vascular permeability factor (VPF), also known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is a multifunctional cytokine that is overexpressed in many transplantable animal and autochtonous human cancers, in healing wounds, and in chronic inflammatory disorders such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. All of these entities are characterized by angiogenesis, altered extracellular matrix, and variable degrees of hypoxia. In addition, two VPF/VEGF receptors, flt-1 and kdr, are overexpressed by endothelial cells that line the microvessels that supply these tumors/inflammatory reactions. On the basis of these and other data, we have proposed a model of angiogenesis in which VPF/VEGF plays a central role: this model is applicable to tumors and also to the angiogenesis that occurs in non-neoplastic processes.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Endothelial Growth Factors / pharmacology*
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Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
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Humans
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Inflammation / physiopathology*
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Lymphokines / pharmacology*
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Models, Biological*
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Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
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Neoplasms / physiopathology*
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / physiopathology*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology
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Receptors, Growth Factor / physiology
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Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
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Wound Healing / physiology
Substances
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Endothelial Growth Factors
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Lymphokines
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Neoplasm Proteins
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Receptors, Growth Factor
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1