What is the Origin of VEGF Pathway?

The initial identification of VEGF as the principal mediator of blood vessel growth and the subsequent elucidation of its receptor-mediated signaling pathways fundamentally transformed the understanding of both normal physiological processes, such as tissue repair and ovarian cycling, and pathological conditions, including solid tumor growth and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

What is the Mechanism of VEGF Pathway?

VEGF ligands bind with high affinity to and subsequently activate specific receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFRs) located on the endothelial cell surface, which triggers a complex intracellular signaling cascade involving numerous phosphorylation events. This receptor activation ultimately leads to the transcription of key genes necessary for cellular survival, active proliferation, and directional migration. The result is the precise sprouting, branching, and eventual remodeling of new blood vessels, a critical process that is itself often tightly regulated by various circulating endocrine hormones.

VEGF Pathway

Meaning

The VEGF Pathway refers to the intricate and highly regulated signaling cascade that is initiated by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), a potent and highly specific protein mitogen that is crucial for stimulating the proliferation, migration, and survival of endothelial cells. This pathway functions as a master biological regulator of angiogenesis, the fundamental physiological process of forming new blood vessels from a pre-existing vascular network.