Mice Lacking the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-B Gene (Vegfb) Have Smaller Hearts, Dysfunctional Coronary Vasculature, and Impaired Recovery From …

D Bellomo, JP Headrick, GU Silins… - Circulation …, 2000 - Am Heart Assoc
D Bellomo, JP Headrick, GU Silins, CA Paterson, PS Thomas, M Gartside, A Mould
Circulation research, 2000Am Heart Assoc
Vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B) is closely related to VEGF-A, an effector of
blood vessel growth during development and disease and a strong candidate for angiogenic
therapies. To further study the in vivo function of VEGF-B, we have generated Vegfb
knockout mice (Vegfb−/−). Unlike Vegfa knockout mice, which die during embryogenesis,
Vegfb−/− mice are healthy and fertile. Despite appearing overtly normal, Vegfb−/− hearts are
reduced in size and display vascular dysfunction after coronary occlusion and impaired …
Abstract
—Vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B) is closely related to VEGF-A, an effector of blood vessel growth during development and disease and a strong candidate for angiogenic therapies. To further study the in vivo function of VEGF-B, we have generated Vegfb knockout mice (Vegfb−/−). Unlike Vegfa knockout mice, which die during embryogenesis, Vegfb−/− mice are healthy and fertile. Despite appearing overtly normal, Vegfb−/− hearts are reduced in size and display vascular dysfunction after coronary occlusion and impaired recovery from experimentally induced myocardial ischemia. These findings reveal a role for VEGF-B in the development or function of coronary vasculature and suggest potential clinical use in therapeutic angiogenesis. The full text of this article is available at http://www.circresaha.org.
Am Heart Assoc