TY - JOUR T1 - Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Angiogenesis JF - Pharmacological Reviews JO - Pharmacol Rev SP - 549 LP - 580 DO - 10.1124/pr.56.4.3 VL - 56 IS - 4 AU - Ann Hoeben AU - Bart Landuyt AU - Martin S. Highley AU - Hans Wildiers AU - Allan T. Van Oosterom AU - Ernst A. De Bruijn Y1 - 2004/12/01 UR - http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/56/4/549.abstract N2 - Angiogenesis is a hallmark of wound healing, the menstrual cycle, cancer, and various ischemic and inflammatory diseases. A rich variety of pro- and antiangiogenic molecules have already been discovered. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an interesting inducer of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, because it is a highly specific mitogen for endothelial cells. Signal transduction involves binding to tyrosine kinase receptors and results in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and new vessel formation. In this article, the role of VEGF in physiological and pathological processes is reviewed. We also discuss how modulation of VEGF expression creates new therapeutic possibilities and describe recent developments in this field. ER -