P49765

VEGF-B also known as VEGF2 is a member of the PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor)/VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) family. VEGF-B plays a crucial role in angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, a process that is vital for normal physiological functions as well as for tumor growth and metastasis. VEGF-B is predominantly expressed in heart and skeletal muscle, where VEGF-B promotes endothelial cell survival and migration, thereby facilitating blood vessel formation. Notably, VEGF-B exists in two isoforms, VEGF-B167 and VEGF-B186, which are generated through alternative splicing and may have distinct biological activities. The interaction of VEGF-B with its receptors, particularly Flt-1, is essential for mediating angiogenic effects, making VEGF-B a significant target for therapeutic interventions in diseases characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth, such as cancer.