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Description and role of angiogenesis-related factors. |
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| Angiogenesis-Related Factor |
Role in Angiogenesis |
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| 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]. |
Heinzman et al. Cancer Cell International 2008 8:11 doi:10.1186/1475-2867-8-11 |
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