Vegfa — Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
| Full Name | Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | VEGF, VEGF-A, VPF |
| Chromosome | 6p21.1 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 7422 |
| OMIM | 193240 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000112715 |
| UniProt ID | P15692 |
| Protein | [VEGFA Protein](/proteins/vegfa-protein) |
| Associated Diseases | Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, ALS, Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Stroke |
VEGFA (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A), commonly known as VEGF, is a critical signaling protein that stimulates angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) and increases vascular permeability. While primarily studied for its role in cancer and cardiovascular diseases, VEGF also plays important roles in the central nervous system, including neurogenesis, neuronal survival, and neuroprotection. Dysregulated VEGF signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases through effects on the neurovascular unit, cerebral blood flow, and blood-brain barrier integrity.
VEGF exerts its effects by binding to receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFR-1/Flt-1 and VEGFR-2/KDR/Flk-1) on endothelial cells and other cell types. In the brain, VEGF is expressed by neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, and acts in both paracrine and autocrine fashions.
The VEGFA gene produces multiple isoforms through alternative splicing:
VEGF plays complex, multifaceted roles in AD:
VEGF involvement in PD includes:
| Approach | Compound | Status | Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gene therapy | AAV-VEGF | Phase II | PD, AD |
| Protein therapy | VEGF₁₂₁ | Preclinical | Stroke |
| Peptide agonists | VEGF-mimetic peptides | Preclinical | AD |
| Small molecules | VEGF receptor agonists | Preclinical | Various |
| Drug | Mechanism | Approved Use |
|---|---|---|
| Bevacizumab | Anti-VEGF antibody | Cancer |
| Ranibizumab | Anti-VEGF Fab fragment | AMD |
| Aflibercept | VEGF trap | AMD |
Note: Anti-VEGF therapies may impair normal brain angiogenesis
The study of Vegfa — Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
[1] Storkebaum E, et al. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2009;10(10):703-714. PMID:19763104
[2] Zaccarini M, et al. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2020;39(1):255. PMID:33239094
[3] Ruiz de Almodovar C, et al. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2009;29(9):1543-1554. PMID:19503051
[4] Lange C, et al. Neurobiol Aging. 2016;45:33-47. PMID:27453334
[5] Yasuda M, et al. J Neurosci. 2018;38(21):4902-4918. PMID:29626182