The splice variants VEGF121 and VEGF189 of the angiogenic peptide vascular endothelial growth factor are expressed in osteoarthritic cartilage

Abstract

Apart from its production in hypertrophic chondrocytes, VEGF is also produced in chondrocytes of OA cartilage. While the splice variant VEGF189 binds to extracellular matrix proteoglycans, VEGF121 is diffused freely. Both proteins should contribute to the inflammatory process by autocrine/paracrine stimulation of chondrocytes, chemotaxis of macrophages, and promotion of angiogenesis.