The article discusses the role of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in angiogenesis in embryonic development, particularly the effect of VEGF on capillary formation in response to chronic tissue ischemia and hypoxia. The sources and action of numerous angiogenic and angiostatic factors responsible for morphologic development of endothelial cells and disturbances in VEGF and FGF secretion are also presented. Increased VEGF and VEGF receptor expression enhances vascular permeability and angiogenesis, and is the cause of tissue edema as well as tumor and metastasis formation. VEGF appears to have a beneficial effect only in ischemic diseases of the heart and peripheral vessels. The article highlights the therapeutic implication of VEGF suppression in other areas of ischemia.

Keywords: angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)