PIGF

PIGF is an acronym that is commonly used in scientific literature to refer to Placental Growth Factor, a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein family. The official human gene symbol is PGF, and the PlGF protein products are secreted glycoproteins involved in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.

Placental Growth Factor functions primarily to promote the growth of blood vessels. It is produced by placental cells and other tissues, including the heart, lung, and adipose tissue, and it acts by binding to the VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1/FLT1). PlGF can work alone or in concert with other VEGF family members to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and vessel formation. The PGF gene generates several isoforms through alternative splicing, with PlGF-1, PlGF-2, and PlGF-3 being among the better characterized.

Clinical significance for PlGF lies largely in pregnancy and cardiovascular contexts. In pregnancy, circulating PlGF levels rise with gestational age and tend to be reduced in preeclampsia and other placental disorders; the ratio of PlGF to its antagonist sFlt-1 is used clinically to help diagnose suspected preeclampsia and assess placental function. In oncology and other diseases, PlGF is thought to contribute to tumor angiogenesis and tissue vascular remodeling; research has explored PlGF-targeted therapies and diagnostic applications, but no PlGF-specific treatment has become a standard, approved therapy to date.

Note: In formal nomenclature, PGF is the official gene symbol, and PIGF is a commonly used acronym referring to Placental Growth Factor in many contexts. The term is mainly associated with the biology and clinical relevance of placental growth factor rather than a distinct organization or concept.