Angiogenesis pathway modulation in ocular tissues (VEGF pathway (ocular))

The angiogenesis pathway in ocular tissues mediates the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, a process essential for normal eye development but also central to pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration[3][4][7]. Hypoxic retinal tissue upregulates VEGF, which binds to VEGFR2 on endothelial cells, driving proliferation, migration, and neovascularization[5][6]. Additional modulators include platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), angiopoietins (ANG–TIE pathway), fibroblast growth factors (FGF), matrix metalloproteinases, and proinflammatory cytokines[6][4][3]. Ocular therapies target this pathway to suppress abnormal vascular growth and edema, most effectively by inhibiting VEGF activity with biologic agents. The entry "Angiogenesis pathway modulation in ocular tissues" is not itself a valid molecular target but describes a complex interplay of molecules. The most common and clinically actionable targets in this pathway are VEGF and VEGFR2[4][6][3][7].

Other names

VEGF signaling in the eyeOcular angiogenesis pathwayAngiogenic signaling (ocular)VEGF-VEGFR pathway

Inhibition of VEGF binding to VEGFR; Blockade of downstream angiogenesis signaling (e.g., MAPK, PI3K/AKT); Reduction of vascular permeability and neovascularization