Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 (VEGFR-1), also known as Flt-1, is a high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptor that plays a crucial role in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. It binds to several ligands, including VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor (PlGF) . The recombinant form of VEGFR-1 D1-7 (Human) is a truncated version that includes the first seven immunoglobulin-like domains of the extracellular region, which are essential for ligand binding.
VEGFR-1 is composed of an extracellular domain with seven immunoglobulin-like loops, a single transmembrane helix, and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. The D1-7 fragment specifically refers to the extracellular portion, which is responsible for binding VEGF ligands. This binding initiates a cascade of downstream signaling pathways that regulate endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival .
VEGFR-1 is primarily involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels. This receptor modulates the activity of VEGF-A, a potent angiogenic factor, by acting as a decoy receptor that sequesters VEGF-A, thereby preventing it from binding to VEGFR-2, which has a higher signaling activity . This regulatory mechanism is crucial for maintaining the balance between angiogenesis and vascular stability.
The expression of VEGFR-1 is upregulated in various pathological conditions, including cancer, where it contributes to tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Inhibiting VEGFR-1 signaling has been explored as a therapeutic strategy to suppress tumor growth and progression . Additionally, VEGFR-1 is implicated in inflammatory diseases, where it mediates the recruitment of monocytes and macrophages to sites of inflammation .
The recombinant form of VEGFR-1 D1-7 is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves the insertion of the VEGFR-1 gene into an expression vector, followed by the expression of the protein in a suitable host system, such as insect cells . This recombinant protein is used in various research applications, including the study of VEGF signaling pathways, the development of anti-angiogenic therapies, and the screening of potential drug candidates.