Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is angiogenic and neurotrophic factor. It is now known that VEGF also plays an importmant role in neurogenesis and neuroprotection in addition to angiogenesis. VEGF and VEGF receptor increase in the ischemic brain, promote vascular endothelial cell proliferation and decrease infarct volume. VEGF plays neuroprotective and neurotrophic roles by the modulation of the phosphatidylinositol3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/nuclear factor-κB and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. VEGF reduces ischemic neuronal apoptosis, promotes neural stem cells proliferation, migration and differentiation and improves nerve functions. In the other hands, VEGF increases permeability of blood vessel which may aggravate cerebral edema early.

Key words: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cerebral ischemia, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, review