VEGF-D (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D) is a member of the VEGF family, primarily known for its role in promoting angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) and lymphangiogenesis (lymphatic vessel development). It binds to receptors VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. activating signaling pathways that regulate endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival. VEGF-D is implicated in physiological processes like tissue repair and pathological conditions, including cancer metastasis, chronic inflammation, and lymphedema.
VEGF-D antibodies are immunological tools designed to detect, quantify, or inhibit VEGF-D activity. These antibodies are widely used in research to study VEGF-D expression patterns, signaling mechanisms, and therapeutic potential. Monoclonal or polyclonal VEGF-D antibodies enable applications such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and flow cytometry. In therapeutic contexts, neutralizing VEGF-D antibodies are explored for blocking tumor-associated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, thereby suppressing cancer progression and metastasis. They also hold promise in treating inflammatory diseases and lymphatic disorders by modulating vascular permeability or abnormal vessel growth.
Commercially available VEGF-D antibodies vary in specificity, host species, and clonality, requiring validation for target affinity and cross-reactivity. Their development underscores VEGF-D's significance as a biomarker and therapeutic target in vascular and lymphatic pathologies.