Angiogenesis-Related Factor | Role in Angiogenesis |
---|---|
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/Vascular Permeability Factor (VEGF/VPF) | Signalling protein for angiogenesis that works by binding, dimerizing, and phosphorylating external tyrosine kinase receptors. Can be induced by hypoxia through the release of Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) [4, 6, 8, 10, 13]. |
Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF/FGF-2) | Stimulates production of basement membranes via formation of extracellular matrix. Aids in angiogenesis in tumors by mediating VEGF production [6, 11, 14]. |
Interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8) | A chemokine that regulates angiogenesis by promoting survival of endothelial cells, stimulating matrix metalloproteinases, and increasing endothelial permeability [15, 16]. |
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) | Factor commonly expressed in carcinomas involved in tumor growth, proliferation, and differentiation by stimulation of intrinsic protein-tyrosine kinase activity, resulting in DNA synthesis. Also, induces VEGF, IL-8, and bFGF release by tumor cells [9, 19]. |
Fms-related Tyrosine Kinase (Flt-3 Ligand) | Cytokine that assists in proliferation and maturation of hematopoietic progenitor cells [20]. |
Platelet-derived Growth Factors (PDGF-AA, -AA/BB) | Mitogenic factors for fibroblasts, smooth muscle, and connective tissue that can be induced by VEGF and bFGF. Induce endothelial cell survival by recruiting stromal cells for VEGF production [9, 17]. |
Interferon-gamma-inducible Protein 10 (IP-10) | Inhibits tumor growth by regulating lymphocyte chemotaxis and inhibiting endothelial cell growth. Down-regulation correlated with poor prognosis. Reverse-correlated with VEGF [21]. |
Transforming Growth Factors (TGF-β1,2,3) | Cytokines that control several biological processes including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Pathological conditions such as cancer are can be linked to modifications of these growth factors [18]. |