Endocrine Gland Derived Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (EG-VEGF)

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) induces proliferation, migration, and fenestration in capillary endothelial cells derived from endocrine glands. Its expression is induced by hypoxia and is restricted to the steroidogenic glands (ovary, testis, adrenal, and placenta). Its expression is often complementary to the expression of VEGF, suggesting that these molecules function in a coordinated manner.

EG-VEGF is mitogenic and chemoattractive and able to induce fenestration. EG-VEGF expression is induced by hypoxia, and there is an HIF1 binding site present on EG-VEGF. EG-VEGF is able to induce angiogenesis and ovarian cyst formation. Northern blot analysis demonstrated expression in testis, ovary, adrenal gland, and placenta.