protein_function: Growth factor for endothelial cells. VEGF-B167 bindsheparin and neuropilin-1 whereas the binding to neuropilin-1 ofVEGF-B186 is regulated by proteolysis. VEGF-B seems to be requiredfor normal heart function in adult but is not required for properdevelopment of the cardiovascular system either during developmentor for angiogenesis in adults..
Vascular endothelial growth factor B also known as VEGF-B is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the VEGF-B gene. VEGF-B is a growth factor that belongs to the vascular endothelial growth factor family, of which VEGF-A is the best-known member. In contrast to VEGF-A, VEGF-B plays a less pronounced role in the vascular system: Whereas VEGF-A is important for the formation of blood vessels, such as during development or in pathological conditions, VEGF-B seems to play a role only in the maintenance of newly formed blood vessels during pathological conditions. It also plays an important role on several types of neurons. And it is important for the protection of neurons in the retina and thecerebral cortex during stroke and of motoneurons during motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.