Placenta growth factor 1 (PlGF-1)

Placenta growth factor 1 (PlGF-1) is a secreted protein and a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family that plays a critical role in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis (UniProt P49763). It is primarily expressed in the placenta, where it facilitates the development of the maternal-fetal vascular interface, but is also found in the heart, lungs, and skeletal muscle (Wikipedia). PlGF-1 exerts its biological effects by binding to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1/Flt-1), acting as a potent inducer of endothelial cell proliferation and migration, particularly under pathological conditions such as ischemia and malignancy (PubMed 11069911). In clinical oncology and ophthalmology, PlGF-1 is a therapeutic target for drugs like aflibercept, which acts as a decoy receptor to sequester the ligand and inhibit pathological neovascularization (NCBI Gene 5228). Additionally, circulating levels of PlGF-1 serve as vital biomarkers in obstetrics; low levels are associated with placental insufficiency, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction (Health Quality Ontario).

Other names

PGFPLGFPGFLPlacental growth factorVascular endothelial growth factor-related protein

PlGF-1 is targeted by decoy receptors that bind the ligand with high affinity, preventing its interaction with VEGFR-1 and thereby inhibiting downstream angiogenic signaling pathways (NCBI Gene 5228).