The involvement of VEGF in endothelial permeability: a target for anti-inflammatory therapy

Many inflammatory mediators are known to contribute to increased vascular permeability during various phases of inflammation. Among these mediators, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor, plays an important role in vascular hyper-permeability, and several studies have demonstrated that modulation of VEGF function might contribute to a successful therapeutic approach to the treatment of inflammatory diseases. VEGF receptor monoclonal antibodies, glucocorticoids, leukotriene modifiers, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been studied for many years as VEGF-blocking drugs in inflammatory diseases in vitro and/or in vivo. The molecular and biological understanding of VEGF and preclinical or clinical trials of VEGF-blocking therapies raise hope that they may be useful as adjuncts to existing anti-inflammatory approaches in the regulation of inflammatory diseases.