VEGFB

VEGFB, or vascular endothelial growth factor B, is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family. It is encoded by the VEGFB gene in humans and other mammals. Like other VEGF ligands, VEGF-B is typically secreted and functions as a dimer.

VEGF-B signals primarily through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1, also known as FLT1) and can interact with the co-receptor neuropilin-1 (NRP1). It does not strongly activate VEGFR-2 and is thus less potent as an angiogenic stimulus compared with VEGF-A. Its signaling is associated with vascular maintenance and endothelial cell survival rather than robust induction of new blood vessels.

Expression of VEGF-B is noted in the heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissues, with roles in metabolic regulation. A notable function attributed to VEGF-B is the regulation of fatty acid uptake into tissues: it can modulate endothelial expression of fatty acid transport proteins FATP3 and FATP4, promoting transfer of long-chain fatty acids from the bloodstream into cardiac and skeletal muscle.

In research, VEGF-B has been explored as a potential therapeutic target for metabolic disorders, ischemic protection, and cardiovascular disease. In animal models, altering VEGF-B levels can influence tissue perfusion and fatty acid metabolism, though its effects on angiogenesis are limited compared with other VEGF family members. Consequently, VEGF-B is often studied more for its roles in vascular metabolism and endothelial function than as a primary driver of blood vessel growth.