Molecular structure and biological effects of vascular endothelial growth factor / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As a multifunctional cell growth factor, vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) plays various biological roles under some physiologic and pathologic conditions. OBJECTIVE: To summarize molecular structure and biological effects of VEGF. RETRIEVAL STRATEGY: A computer-based online search of PubMed database was undertaken to identify related English articles dated from January 1989 to December 2007 with keywords"VEGF, molecular structure, biological effect, diabetes, diabetic macroangiopathy". 934 articles were firstly collected, including 38 about molecular structure and biological effects of VEGF, and 896 about diabetes and diabetic macroangiopathy. After the first trial, only articles about ①molecular structure and biological characteristics of VEGF, and ②diabetes and diabetes complicated by coronary heart disease or limb vascular disease were selected. 897 repetitive, outdated and unrelated articles were excluded. Finally, 35 articles were included. LITERATURE EVALUATION: Of 35 articles, there were 17 ones about animal trials, and in vivo, in vitro and cytological studies, 8 of review articles and comments, and 10 clinical studies. All articles were individual evaluation. DATA SYNTHESIS: Human VEGF genes consist of 8 exons and 7 introns, and are located in 6p21.3 region. VEGF encodes several isoforms with different biological characteristics. Two VEGF receptors display different biological effects. VEGF and its receptors are regulated by various factors. The receptors interact with ligand and play biological effect. In diabetic patients complicated by coronary heart disease, myocardial VEGF mRNA and protein expressions are increased but the expressions of two kinds of receptors are decreased compared with non-diabetic patients. Compared to patients with non-severe lower limb ischemia, VEGF production is more in diabetic patients complicated by severe lower limb ischemia. It is demonstrated that VEGF can restore injured neovascularization. However, VEGF therapy for diabetes still needs further study. CONCLUSION: VEGF can restore impaired neovascularization. VEGF expression shows diversity under diabetic macroangiopathy. Further study should be made focusing on the prevention value of VEGF to diabetic macroangiopathy.