Figure 1.

VEGF/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway in Endothelial Cell Relevant to Angiogenesis

The VEGF-VEGFR2 system engages activation of PI3K, p38MAPK, FAK, and PLCγ. PI3K, in turn, activates AKT and Rac, resulting in cell survival and increased vascular permeability, respectively. PLCγ, in turn, activates PKC with the downstream MAPK cascade facilitating cell proliferation and cell motility. Both p38MAPK and FAK mediate cell mobility. The combined effects of these pathways on the vascular endothelium result in angiogenesis. VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGFR2, VEGF receptor 2; PLCγ, phospholipase C gamma; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; PKC, protein kinase C; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; FAK, focal adhesion kinase; eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase.