Description
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent proangiogenic cytokine1 is the key signal used by oxygen-hungry cells to promote growth of blood vessels. It binds to specialized receptors on the surfaces of endothelial cells and directs them to build new vessels.2 The alternative splicing of mRNA from a single 8-exon VEGFA gene results in multiple isoforms which are classified by their terminal exon splice site. The classification depends on whether this terminal exon (exon-8) is proximal or distal. VEGF164 refers to the proximal splice site and contains one fewer amino acid than its human ortholog. VEGF are crucial regulators of vascular development during embryogenesis (vasculogenesis) and blood-vessel formation in the adult (angiogenesis). Abnormal VEGF function is associated with inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis, and hyperthyroidism.3,4,5,6