Anti-angiogenic isoform of vascular endothelial growth factor-A in cardiovascular and renal disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular and Renal Medicine
• Molecular Biology
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasingly prevalent, often exacerbated by obesity.
• Pathologic heart-kidney interactions contribute to progressive organ dysfunction.
• Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is implicated in both CVD and CKD, with different isoforms exhibiting distinct functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of the anti-angiogenic VEGF-A165b isoform in cardiovascular and renal diseases.
• To explore VEGF-A165b as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker.
• To highlight recent preclinical and clinical findings on VEGF-A in the context of obesity-related CVD and CKD.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
• Analysis of VEGF-A alternative splicing and isoform functions.
• Discussion of therapeutic strategies and biomarker potential.

Main Results:

• Obesity accelerates the progression of heart and kidney disorders.
• VEGF-A alternative splicing generates pro-angiogenic (VEGF-A165a) and anti-angiogenic (VEGF-A165b) isoforms.
• VEGF-A165b has a significant role in the pathophysiology of CVD and CKD.

Conclusions:

• VEGF-A165b represents a novel function of VEGF-A with implications for CVD and CKD.
• Targeting VEGF-A165b may offer therapeutic benefits for patients with obesity-related cardiovascular and renal conditions.
• VEGF-A165b shows promise as a circulating biomarker for CVD and CKD.