VEGF-D

Vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D), also known as C-fos induced growth factor (FIGF), is a vascular endothelial growth factor. This secreted protein is a member of the platelet derived growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (PDGF/VEGF) family and performs activities in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth. Human VEGF-D is expressed in adult lung, heart, muscle, and small intestine, and is most abundantly expressed in fetal lungs and skin. It is structurally and functionally similar to VEGF-C, and is secreted as a non-covelent homodimer in a antiparallel fashion. VEGF-D undergoes a complex proteolytic maturation, generating multiple processed forms which bind and activate VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 receptors. Like VEGFC, it may particularly be involed in the formation of the venous and lymphatic vascular systems during embryogenesis, and also in the maintenance of differentiated lymphatic endothelium in adults.