Regulation of endothelial function and angiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A)

VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor-A) is an endothelial-specific gr owth factor that stimulates endothelial function and angiogenesis. VEGF-A p lays an important role during development of the vascular system, wound hea ling, vascularization of tumors, and for angiogenesis in ischemic tissues i ncluding the heart. VEGF-A stimulates many actions of endothelial cells inc luding proliferation, migration, and nitric oxide release via binding to an d activation of the two primarily endothelial-specific receptor-tyrosine ki nases KDR and Flt-1. KDR and Flt-1 stimulate multiple signal transduction p athways in endothelial cells. This review provides an overview of the role of VEGF-A in the regulation of endothelial function, angiogenesis, and arte riogenesis with regard to activation of signal transduction pathways and th eir functional consequences in the endothelium. Moreover, this article disc usses recent developments exploring the therapeutic potential of VEGF-A for treatment of cardiovascular diseases.