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. 2023 Jan 14;12(2):319. doi: 10.3390/cells12020319

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Schematic diagram of interactions between VEGFs and VEGFRs known to mediate hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. (A) The five major VEGFs expressed in mammals identified to date include VEGF-A to -D and placental growth factor (PlGF). VEGF-E is virally encoded. Each VEGF subtype interacts with either one or two of the three known VEGFRs to influence cell proliferation, migration, survival, and vascular permeability. VEGF expression is regulated by various factors, including hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). (B) Canonical VEGF–VEGFR signaling mediates vasculogenesis, hemangiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and hematopoiesis. Vascular endothelial cells express VEGFR-1 and -2, and VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling is the primary driver of hemangiogenesis. LECs express VEGFR-2 and -3, and VEGF-C and -D/VEGFR-3 interactions are the main drivers of lymphangiogenesis. Neuropilin-1 and -2 (NRP-1/-2) act as coreceptors for VEGFR-2 and -3, respectively, increasing the affinity of VEGF–VEGFR binding [104]. Reproduced with permission.