Background
The multifunctional protein family known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) controls both vascular permeability and angiogenesis. There are several members of the VEGF family, the most well-known of which are the Placental Growth Factor (PlGF), VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGF-E. With a crucial role in angiogenesis, VEGF-A is the most functionally versatile and well-researched among them. Members of the VEGF family generate biological effects by binding to specific receptors such as VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR3. The body employs many VEGF isoforms for various functions. For example, VEGF-A promotes angiogenesis, as well as the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells; VEGF-B regulates cardiovascular system activities; and VEGF-C and VEGF-D are predominantly engaged in lymphangiogenesis. Moreover, PlGF is critical for embryonic development and placental angiogenesis. The VEGF family and its receptors are diverse, allowing them to participate in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, most notably tumor growth and metastasis.
The human body produces VEGF in response to a variety of stimuli, chief among them being hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) binds to the VEGF gene's promoter region and activates VEGF gene transcription, which increases VEGF expression in hypoxic settings. Moreover, VEGF expression can be increased by cytokines, growth hormones, and certain endogenous substances (such as transforming growth factor and tumor necrosis factor). The primary function of VEGF in the human body is to promote the migration, proliferation, and tube creation of vascular endothelial cells, hence inducing the production of new blood vessels. In addition, VEGF can raise vascular permeability, which alters the tissue microenvironment by making it easier for blood and proteins to enter the interstitial spaces. In physiological processes such as wound healing, the menstrual cycle, and embryonic development, VEGF plays a critical role. On the other hand, pathological conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, persistent inflammation, and ischemic diseases are closely associated with abnormal VEGF expression and activity.
Tumor development and metastasis depend on angiogenesis, and VEGF promotes the production of new blood vessels inside the tumor microenvironment, giving the oxygen and nutrients required for tumor growth. As a result of its vital involvement in tumor angiogenesis, VEGF has become a significant target for anti-tumor therapy, with blocking VEGF or its signaling pathways emerging as a key method in cancer treatment. Anti-VEGF cancer drugs currently fall into two main categories: VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, like Sunitinib and Sorafenib, block the VEGF signaling pathway by inhibiting the tyrosine kinase activity of VEGF receptors; and anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies, like Bevacizumab, which inhibit angiogenesis by directly binding to VEGF and blocking its interaction with receptors. In addition to its cancer applications, VEGF is used to treat a variety of other disorders. For example, in ischemic disorders, exogenous VEGF supplementation or increased endogenous VEGF expression can encourage the development of new blood vessels, hence increasing tissue blood flow. Furthermore, in conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, anti-VEGF medicines are utilized to prevent the growth of retinal neovascularization, reducing disease progression.
Alternative Names
Human VEGF-A ELISA Kit
Human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ELISA Kit
VEGF ELISA Kit
References
Design of a small molecule that stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor A enabled by screening RNA fold-small molecule interactions
NATURE CHEMISTRY
Authors: Haniff, Hafeez S.; Knerr, Laurent; Liu, Xiaohui; Crynen, Gogce; Bostrom, Jonas; Abegg, Daniel; Adibekian, Alexander; Lekah, Elizabeth; Wang, Kye Won; Cameron, Michael D.; Yildirim, Ilyas; Lemurell, Malin; Disney, Matthew D.
Abstract
A selection-based screen has now revealed preferences in small-molecule chemotypes that bind RNA as well as preferences in the RNA motifs that bind small molecules. Analysis of these data enabled the design of a small molecule that selectively binds a non-coding microRNA and upregulates expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) stimulates angiogenesis in human endothelial cells, and increasing its expression is a potential treatment for heart failure. Here, we report the design of a small molecule (TGP-377) that specifically and potently enhances VEGFA expression by the targeting of a non-coding microRNA that regulates its expression. A selection-based screen, named two-dimensional combinatorial screening, revealed preferences in small-molecule chemotypes that bind RNA and preferences in the RNA motifs that bind small molecules. The screening program increased the dataset of known RNA motif-small molecule binding partners by 20-fold. Analysis of this dataset against the RNA-mediated pathways that regulate VEGFA defined that the microRNA-377 precursor, which repressesVegfamessenger RNA translation, is druggable in a selective manner. We designed TGP-377 to potently and specifically upregulate VEGFA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These studies illustrate the power of two-dimensional combinatorial screening to define molecular recognition events between 'undruggable' biomolecules and small molecules, and the ability of sequence-based design to deliver efficacious structure-specific compounds.
Long non-coding RNA TPT1-AS1 promotes angiogenesis and metastasis of colorectal cancer through TPT1-AS1/NF90/VEGFA signaling pathway
AGING-US
Authors: Zhang, Yiyun; Sun, Jiangyun; Qi, Yuan; Wang, Yimin; Ding, Yu; Wang, Kun; Zhou, Qingxin; Wang, Jingxuan; Ma, Fei; Zhang, Jianguo; Guo, Baoliang
Abstract
LncRNAs have been proven closely correlated to tumor progression. A recent study identified LncRNA TPT1-AS1 (TPT1-AS1) as one of the liver-metastasis associated LncRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we report that TPT1-AS1 is upregulated in CRC tissues, which is associated with poor prognosis. Functional assays unravel a pro-angiogenesis and metastasis role of TPT1-AS1. Mechanistically, Flexmap 3D assays reveal that TPT1-AS1 upregulates the VEGFA secretion in CRC cells. RNA immunoprecipitation and mRNA stability assays further show that TPT1-AS1 interacts with nuclear factor 90 (NF90) and subsequently promotes the association between NF90 and VEGFA mRNA, which leads to the upregulation of VEGFA mRNA stability. Therefore, we elucidate a new regulatory mechanism of TPT1-AS1 in CRC angiogenesis and targeting the TPT1-AS1/NF90/VEGFA axis may provide a useful strategy for diagnosis and treatment for colorectal cancer patients.