Development of nervous system involves neuronal migration and axonal navigation. Growth cone which is a highly motile structure at the distal tip of growing axon leads to its final destination. Various guidance cues plays crucial role in cytoskeletal rearrangement by forming finger like structure filopodia and flat veil like lamellipodia. Out of these cues vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the putative factor for angiogenesis or vascular sprouting, also has trophic activity similar to the nerve growth factor (NGF) on neuronal cells. It also stimulates axonal growth and also enhances survival of dorsal root ganglion or cervical neurons. VEGF is known to inhibit hypoxic death of cortical neurons in-vitro2 and in cerebral ischemia.

doi : 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.200307