Neurogenic perspective on vascular endothelial growth factor: review of the literature

Among a variety of approaches used to stimulate nerve regeneration in experimental settings, is the use of a class of proteins designated as nerve growth factors and various other growth factors. Of these, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has been demonstrated to possess a potential to stimulate nerve regeneration in addition to its angiogenic properties. A number of studies have investigated the role of VEGF in nerve regeneration, demonstrating that it has both neurogenic and mitogenic activity on cells in the peripheral nervous system. It is therefore likely that VEGF is a molecule of major significance for nerve homeostasis, especially during development, and possibly after nerve injury. This paper reviews the mechanisms of VEGF signal transduction in neurogenesis, and focuses on recent studies that have considerably widened the understanding of the way in which VEGF affects peripheral nerve regeneration. By emphasizing the possible therapeutic implication of VEGF in nerve pathology, the authors would like to introduce a new research approach to study the role of VEGF in the nervous system. They believe that in the future, the factor might become a powerful tool in enhancing nerve regeneration in clinical practice.