Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is a key member of the VEGF family, playing a central role in angiogenesis and vascular permeability. It binds to receptors such as VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. activating signaling pathways that promote endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival. VEGFA is essential in physiological processes like embryonic development and wound healing, but its overexpression is linked to pathological conditions, including cancer, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
VEGFA antibodies are critical tools for both research and therapeutic applications. In research, they are used to detect and quantify VEGFA expression in tissues or fluids via techniques like Western blot, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Therapeutically, monoclonal antibodies (e.g., bevacizumab, ranibizumab) neutralize VEGFA activity, inhibiting abnormal blood vessel growth in cancers or ocular diseases. These antibodies are classified as either monoclonal (high specificity) or polyclonal (detecting multiple epitopes), with monoclonal variants dominating clinical use due to their targeted action.
The development of anti-VEGFA therapies revolutionized treatments for AMD and certain cancers by starving tumors of vascular supply. However, challenges like drug resistance and side effects (e.g., hypertension, impaired wound healing) highlight the need for ongoing research to optimize efficacy and safety. VEGFA antibodies remain a cornerstone in understanding angiogenesis mechanisms and advancing targeted therapies.