The presence of VEGF receptors on the luminal surface of endothelial cells affects VEGF distribution and VEGF signaling.

ABSTRACT: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent cytokine that binds to specific receptors on the endothelial cells lining blood vessels. The signaling cascade triggered eventually leads to the formation of new capillaries, a process called angiogenesis. Distributions of VEGF receptors and VEGF ligands are therefore crucial determinants of angiogenic events and, to our knowledge, no quantification of abluminal vs. luminal receptors has been performed. We formulate a molecular-based compartment model to investigate the VEGF distribution in blood and tissue in humans and show that such quantification would lead to new insights on angiogenesis and VEGF-dependent diseases. Our multiscale model includes two major isoforms of VEGF (VEGF(121) and VEGF(165)), as well as their receptors (VEGFR

SUBMITTER: Stefanini MO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2790341 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature