verisuonikasvutekijän

Verisuonikasvutekijä, often abbreviated as VEGF, is a signaling protein produced by cells that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels. This process, known as angiogenesis, is crucial for various physiological and pathological events. In normal conditions, VEGF plays a vital role in embryonic development, wound healing, and the female reproductive cycle. It is essential for the formation of a functional circulatory system, ensuring that tissues receive adequate oxygen and nutrients.

However, uncontrolled or excessive VEGF production can contribute to disease. In cancer, tumor cells often secrete VEGF to promote the formation of new blood vessels that supply the tumor, allowing it to grow, metastasize, and survive. This has made VEGF a significant target for anti-cancer therapies. Many modern cancer treatments aim to inhibit VEGF or its receptors to starve tumors of their blood supply.

VEGF also plays a role in other conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, where abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye can lead to vision loss. Research into VEGF and its pathways continues to yield new therapeutic strategies for a range of diseases. Understanding the complex regulation and function of VEGF is key to developing more effective treatments that can modulate its activity precisely.