Figure 1.

Diversity of VEGF and PlGF isoforms: homo- and heterodimers.

Notes: The VEGF ligands, VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and PlGF can all interact with VEGFR-1, and the illustration provides an example of how diversity in isoforms can result in a wide array of signaling molecules that can interact with the receptor. The four PlGF isoforms can homo- and heterodimerize with any of six distinct isoforms of VEGF-A, as can the two isoforms of VEGF-B, resulting in many combinations that can potentially exhibit different biological activity.⁵,⁶,¹⁷

Abbreviations: PlGF, placental growth factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGFR, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor.