Effect of VEGF on mouse thymocyte proliferation and apoptosis in vitro

Vascular endothelial growth factor is not only angiogenic, but also immunoregulatory factor. For evaluation of the possibility of its direct interaction with mouse thymocytes we studied the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on proliferation and apoptosis of thymocytes and expression of genes for the corresponding receptor on these cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor modulated mitogen-induced proliferation of thymocytes and stimulated spontaneous apoptosis in intact thymus cells. Thymocytes express mRNA of type 2, but not type 1 vascular endothelial growth factor receptors.