Fig. 2.

Summarized model for classical downstream VEGF/VEGFR signaling in AML cells. The VEGF receptor phosphorylates upon binding of either VEGF-A or VEGF-C. Phosphorylation of the VEGF receptor results in the activation of downstream signaling proteins involved in the PI3 kinase and MAPK signaling pathways. Chemotherapy-resistant mechanisms are regulated through VEGF receptor-mediated activation of Bcl-2 and HSPs. The MAPK route can induce transcription of COX-2. This protein is a pro-angiogenic factor, which in turn can induce paracrine VEGF signaling. The blue proteins evidently demonstrated to be important downstream proteins of the VEGF/VEGFR signaling for the proliferation, survival, and chemotherapy resistance of AML blast cells