The role of VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) in Osteoarthritis

Objective: In recent studies we have shown, that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed in osteoarthritic but not in normal cartilage. Aim of this investigation was to analyse the function of VEGF in osteoarthritis (OA). Methods & results: Immortalized human chondrocytes, which were a model, expressed VEGF and VEGFR-2. As evidenced by real time RT-PCR, VEGFR-2 expression was upregulated by VEGF itself. Stimulation of VEGFR-2 by the ligand resulted in autophosphorylation of the receptor, subsequent phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases Erk ½ and finally the activation of the tra…