Neuroprotective effect of vascular endothelial growth factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor, can promote the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells, and enhance vascular permeability.In addition, VEGF family is also related to lymphatic vessel formation, inflammatory response, hematopoiesis and neuroprotective effect.Under the circumstances of ischemia, hypoxia and oxidative stress, VEGF can exert neuroprotective effect by increasing tissue perfusion, inhibiting cell apoptosis and stimulating neurogenesis.Therefore, therapeutic effect of VEGF in neurological diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases and stroke has increasingly received considerable attention.On the other hand, anti-VEGF therapy for ocular pathologic neovascular diseases may lead to corresponding adverse effect.In this review, the mechanism of neuroprotective effect of VEGF and its roles in neurological diseases and ocular diseases were discussed.