Vegetative Epidermal Growth Factor - A Review

Introduction

The vegetative epidermal growth factor is a very important regulatory protein present in the body. They are very important in developing vessels and various other cellular functions. This article aims to explain this growth factor in detail, its structure, function, and therapeutic implications of this protein.

What Is the Structure and Function of Vegetative Epidermal Growth Factor?

The vegetative epidermal growth factor structure is a glycoprotein with two similar units within it. Each of these subunits has approximately 200 amino acids. The structure also contains a peptide and propeptide region, each of which has its function. One guides the secretion, and the other has been converted to active form. Functions of this vegetative epidermal growth factor:

• Angiogenesis (New Blood Vessel Formation): This is one of the main roles of this epidermal growth factor. They help in the formation of newer blood vessels from the existing ones. They stimulate the proliferation of endothelial cells and help in their regulation and survival. This is crucial for the individual's overall well-being as it forms the basis of wound healing, development, and tissue regeneration.

• Lymphangiogenesis (Lymph Vessel Formation): this growth factor binds to receptors on the lymphatic endothelial cells and stimulates their proliferation and differentiation. This leads to the formation of new lymphatic vessels. It is also responsible for the regulation and maintenance of the lymphatic vessels.

• Neurogenesis (New Neuron Formation): There has been increasing research proving that this vegetative epidermal growth factor has a role in promoting the progenitor neuronal cells to remain and later help them stimulate and increase, leading to the generation of new neurons. In addition to this, it promotes angiogenesis, which helps provide necessary oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells.

• Tumorigenesis (Tumor Growth and Proliferation): When this growth factor is secreted and functioning normally, no tumor is formed. However, when there is any imbalance in the signaling or functioning, it can result in the growth and proliferation of tumor cells. It could result in cancers of lung, breast, or colorectal cancer. The formed tumor cells further express more of this vegetative epidermal growth factor, promoting its functions in these cells, too, like forming new blood vessels and lymph vessels, ensuring a sufficient supply of growth of the tumor and further metastasizing.

What Are the Therapeutic Implications of VEGF?

Extensive research has been conducted to study this protein and utilize it for therapeutic purposes. A few of the therapies it is been considered include:

1. Cancer Therapy: As there is a major role of vegetative epidermal growth factor in causing cancer growth, it is implicated that by targeting this factor, treatment modality can be utilized. The growth factor is also responsible for the blood supply for the tumor cells. Hence, targeting this restricts the blood supply and helps stop its growth and proliferation. Anti-VEGF therapies used are Bevacizumab, Aflibercept, and Ramucirumab, to name a few. They are currently utilized along with chemotherapy to treat various cancers in the body, like lung cancer, renal cell cancer, etc. These therapies can reduce proliferation and growth, control metastases, and help with overall treatment.

2. Ophthalmic Diseases: Disorders in the eye like macular degeneration, retinopathy, and occlusion of veins are major blood supply issues. Using vegetative epidermal growth factors, angiogenesis can be stimulated and rectified. They help prevent causing loss of vision in such patients. It also reduces retinal vascular leakage and helps a great deal in improving the outcomes of the treatment.

3. Cardiovascular Diseases: This growth factor greatly benefits ischemic and coronary heart disease. The idea behind this is to improve the blood flow and conduction. They aim to restore new blood vessels and blood flow. Gene and recombinant therapy have been studied in this regard and explored as potential novel therapeutic modalities with optimal efficacy and delivery.

4. Wound Healing: As they have a major role in forming new blood vessels, they are important in healing wounds more quickly. Topical usage of VEGF or incorporation of the same through gene therapy helps accelerate wound healing and improves the patient outcome and repair to a great extent. It is currently a topic of preclinical and clinical studies.

5. Neurological Diseases: Disorders like stroke, Parkinson's', and Alzheimer's have shown major problems to human beings. Administering this growth factor helps promote the formation of neurons and blood vessels, rotates the neurons, and helps in tissue repair and recovery in case of any injury. These properties are utilized in this therapy. Numerous ongoing clinical trials are researching the safety and efficacy of using these great factors for further use in larger populations.

Conclusion

To summarize, the vegetative epidermal growth factor is an important growth factor having multiple crucial roles in the human body's functioning. They help stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and neurons. When there is an imbalance, it can also result and help in tumor growth proliferation and metastasis. Therefore, this growth factor has a major role in maintaining the balance in the body. Understanding this growth factor and its immense benefits in the medical world helps to deepen the research on safety and efficacy. Once cleared, this growth factor will be a novel outcome-changing therapy for treating all kinds of cancers, many diseases of the ophthalmic and neurological systems, and any injuries and wounds.