Vascular endothelial growth factor was earlier referred as vascular permeability factor (VPF). Vascular endothelial growth factor was described to be an important growth factors for vascular endothelial cells as an angiogenic factor. Vascular endothelial growth factors is a signal protein which is excreted once the cells are stimulated for angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. This forms a portion of system which is involved in supplying oxygen to the tissues which faces inadequate blood circulation. The vascular endothelial growth factors in mammals comprise of 5 members which include VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Amongst these VEGF-A is also known as placenta growth factor. Concentration of vascular endothelial growth factors is high in serum in cases like diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma.

The normal function of vascular endothelial growth factors involves generation of new blood vessels during occurrence of injury, embryonic development etc. Vascular endothelial growth factors are produced in cells which do not receive adequate oxygen. In such cases, the cell produces hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) which stimulates the production of VEGF-A. Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factors are likely to be associated with diseases. Cancer cells are known to grow only to a certain size in absence of sufficient blood supply and express vascular endothelial growth factors to metastasize. Release of VEGF-A is also observed in various disease conditions which includes rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer, age related macular degeneration ( AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. The serum concentration of VEGF-D is shown to be elevated in angiosarcoma patients. Decreased VEGF concentrations in pulmonary arteries are indicative of pulmonary emphysema and increased glomeruli concentration of VEGF-A are indicative of glomerular hypertrophy. Thus, alterations in VEGF concentrations can be used as an indication to various diseases. Various anti- VEGF therapies are used for treatment of various age-related macular degeneration and cancer.