Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is essential for the development and growth of the lymphatic vasculature. Together with VEGF-D, it forms the lymphatic subgroup within the VEGF family of growth factors, whose other members (PlGF, VEGF/VEGF-A, VEGF-B) are primarily responsible for the growth and function of blood vessels.
Research into the molecular basis of lymphangiogenesis in embryonic development and pathological processes has led to a rapid increase of our knowledge (Krebs and Jeltsch 2013A, 2013B). The molecular biology era of lymphatic research began with the discovery of the VEGF growth factors and their receptors 25 years ago, and these molecules are the focus of this overview.
