Placenta growth factor (PlGF) (PlGF)

Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is a secreted protein belonging to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and is a key regulator of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, particularly under pathological conditions [2, 10]. It exists in several isoforms, with Placental growth factor-2 (PlGF-2) being notable for its unique heparin-binding domain that allows interaction with neuropilins and the extracellular matrix [1, 8]. PlGF primarily exerts its biological effects by binding to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1/Flt-1), which enhances the angiogenic signaling of VEGF-A by displacing it from VEGFR-1 to the more active VEGFR-2 [5, 20]. In clinical medicine, PlGF is a vital biomarker; significantly low levels in maternal circulation are used to predict and diagnose preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction [3, 14]. Conversely, elevated levels of PlGF are associated with pathological neovascularization in various cancers and ophthalmic diseases such as age-related macular degeneration [9, 13]. Therapeutic targeting of PlGF is achieved through drugs like aflibercept, which acts as a decoy receptor to neutralize the growth factor and inhibit its pro-angiogenic effects [13]. Additionally, recombinant PlGF is being investigated as a potential therapeutic agent to promote healing in ischemic heart disease and to treat placental insufficiency [7, 12].

Other names

Placental growth factorPGFPLGFPGFLVascular endothelial growth factor-related protein

Decoy receptor binding and neutralization of the growth factor to prevent activation of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1).