Clinical Significance of Serum Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Angiopoietin-1, and Angiopoietin-2 in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

The serum VEGF level is important as an index of the activity of RA based on angiogenesis and a prognostic factor regarding joint destruction. Serum Ang-1 level may be useful as an index of sustained arthritis based on the maintenance of newly formed vessels. Serum Ang-2 level may reflect a state of marked angiogenesis.