Angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor and the endometrium

Angiogenesis is an essential component of endometrial renewal. The formation of new vessels depends on interactions between various hormones and growth factors, and this review focuses on the expression of angiogenic growth factors in the human endometrium. Peptide and non-peptide angiogenic factors interact during endometrial renewal, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factors (e.g. TGF-beta), platelet-derived endothelial growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP), tumour necrosis growth factors and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Their role in the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells from pre-existing vessels is described, concentrating on VGEF and its receptors (VEG-R1 and -R2), and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. The actions of the products of the VEGF gene are outlined, and the hormonal and non-hormonal control of their localization in the human endometrium and biological actions on vasculature and coagulation are described. Finally, the role of VEGF in menorrhagia is assessed.