Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of normal and abnormal angiogenesis. It is essential for embryonic vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, as well as for blood vessel proliferation in the female reproductive tract and bone growth. VEGF is also involved in pathological angiogenesis, and anti-VEGF therapies have shown promise in inhibiting tumor growth and treating conditions like diabetic retinopathy. VEGF-induced angiogenesis has therapeutic benefits in models of myocardial and limb ischemia. Research into VEGF includes therapeutic angiogenesis using recombinant VEGF or gene transfer, and inhibition of pathological angiogenesis. Napoleone Ferrara is a Staff Scientist at Genentech Inc., focusing on angiogenesis regulation and therapeutic applications. Key terms include VEGF, angiogenesis, tyrosine kinases, tumor growth, and retinopathy. Abbreviations include AMD, CL, ES, FGF, Flk-1, Flt-1, HIF, KDR, PlGF, TGF, TK, TNF, VEGF, VHL, and VPF. VEGF is a mitogen for vascular endothelial cells but not for other cell types. It induces strong angiogenic responses in vivo and acts as a survival factor for endothelial cells. VEGF induces expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and promotes the survival of immature retinal vessels. It also induces vascular leakage, increases hydraulic conductivity, and causes fenestrations in endothelial cells. VEGF regulates blood cells, promoting monocyte chemotaxis and colony formation by hematopoietic progenitor cells. It also inhibits the maturation of antigen-presenting cells, potentially aiding tumor growth by evading immune responses. VEGF induces vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner and causes transient tachycardia, hypotension, and decreased cardiac output when injected intravenously. These effects are mediated by nitric oxide. VEGF also has hemodynamic effects similar to other angiogenic factors like FGF. The human VEGF gene is organized in eight exons and produces multiple molecular species through alternative splicing. VEGF plays a critical role in vascular development and is essential for embryonic survival.Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of normal and abnormal angiogenesis. It is essential for embryonic vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, as well as for blood vessel proliferation in the female reproductive tract and bone growth. VEGF is also involved in pathological angiogenesis, and anti-VEGF therapies have shown promise in inhibiting tumor growth and treating conditions like diabetic retinopathy. VEGF-induced angiogenesis has therapeutic benefits in models of myocardial and limb ischemia. Research into VEGF includes therapeutic angiogenesis using recombinant VEGF or gene transfer, and inhibition of pathological angiogenesis. Napoleone Ferrara is a Staff Scientist at Genentech Inc., focusing on angiogenesis regulation and therapeutic applications. Key terms include VEGF, angiogenesis, tyrosine kinases, tumor growth, and retinopathy. Abbreviations include AMD, CL, ES, FGF, Flk-1, Flt-1, HIF, KDR, PlGF, TGF, TK, TNF, VEGF, VHL, and VPF. VEGF is a mitogen for vascular endothelial cells but not for other cell types. It induces strong angiogenic responses in vivo and acts as a survival factor for endothelial cells. VEGF induces expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and promotes the survival of immature retinal vessels. It also induces vascular leakage, increases hydraulic conductivity, and causes fenestrations in endothelial cells. VEGF regulates blood cells, promoting monocyte chemotaxis and colony formation by hematopoietic progenitor cells. It also inhibits the maturation of antigen-presenting cells, potentially aiding tumor growth by evading immune responses. VEGF induces vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner and causes transient tachycardia, hypotension, and decreased cardiac output when injected intravenously. These effects are mediated by nitric oxide. VEGF also has hemodynamic effects similar to other angiogenic factors like FGF. The human VEGF gene is organized in eight exons and produces multiple molecular species through alternative splicing. VEGF plays a critical role in vascular development and is essential for embryonic survival.