Holm Pieter W, Slart Riemer H J A, Zeebregts Clark J, Hillebrands Jan L, Tio René A
Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Ann Med. 2009;41(4):257-64. doi: 10.1080/07853890802516507.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent growth factor for endothelial cells and inducer of angiogenesis, is important for endothelial integrity and thus for vascular function. On the other hand, VEGF may enhance the pathophysiologic mechanism of plaque formation and plaque destabilization. In this review we discuss the data available so far for VEGF as angiogenic and/or inflammatory cytokine in the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque.
血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）是一种对内皮细胞具有强大作用的生长因子，也是血管生成的诱导剂，对内皮细胞的完整性以及血管功能至关重要。另一方面，VEGF可能会增强斑块形成和斑块不稳定的病理生理机制。在本综述中，我们讨论了目前关于VEGF作为易损动脉粥样硬化斑块中血管生成和/或炎性细胞因子的现有数据。
