Vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF), originally known as
vascular permeability factor (
VPF), is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates
vasculogenesis and
angiogenesis. It is part of the system that restores the oxygen supply to tissues when blood circulation is inadequate. Serum concentration of VEGF is high in
bronchial asthma and
diabetes mellitus. VEGF's normal function is to create new blood vessels during
embryonic development, new blood vessels after injury, muscle following exercise, and new vessels (
collateral circulation) to bypass blocked vessels.