Vascular endothelial growth factor A messenger RNA (VEGFA mRNA)

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) messenger RNA is the primary transcript responsible for the production of the VEGFA protein, a key mediator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability [UniProt P15692]. In healthy tissues, VEGFA is essential for wound healing and development, but its overexpression is a hallmark of pathological conditions such as solid tumor growth and neovascular eye diseases [PubMed: 15630440]. By targeting the mRNA rather than the protein, therapeutic interventions like small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) aim to prevent the production of all VEGFA isoforms at the source [NIH]. This approach has been explored extensively for treating wet age-related macular degeneration and various cancers, with drugs like bevasiranib reaching late-stage clinical trials [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00498329]. However, challenges remain regarding the stable delivery of these nucleic acid drugs and the potential for off-target effects or immune activation [PubMed: 11313945]. Despite these hurdles, VEGFA mRNA remains a significant target in the field of RNA therapeutics, offering a mechanism to silence the angiogenic signal before it is even translated.

Other names

VEGF mRNAVascular permeability factor mRNAVPF mRNAVEGFA transcriptVEGF-A mRNA

RNA interference (siRNA) or antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) mediated degradation or translational inhibition of the messenger RNA transcript, preventing the synthesis of the VEGF protein.