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.[6]
VEGF-B plays also an important role on several types of neurons. It is important for the protection of neurons in the retina[7] and the cerebral cortex during stroke,[8] and of motor neurons during motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.[9]
VEGF-B exerts its effects via the FLT1 receptor.[10] But the role of co-receptorNRP in VEGF-B-mediated effects is still unclear.[11]
VEGF-B has also been found to control endothelial uptake and transport of fatty acids in heart and skeletal muscle.[12][13]
Qi JH, Ebrahem Q, Moore N, Murphy G, Claesson-Welsh L, Bond M, et al. (April 2003). "A novel function for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP3): inhibition of angiogenesis by blockage of VEGF binding to VEGF receptor-2". Nature Medicine. 9 (4): 407–415. doi:10.1038/nm846. PMID12652295. S2CID12563403.
Trompezinski S, Berthier-Vergnes O, Denis A, Schmitt D, Viac J (February 2004). "Comparative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor family members, VEGF-B, -C and -D, by normal human keratinocytes and fibroblasts". Experimental Dermatology. 13 (2): 98–105. doi:10.1111/j.0906-6705.2004.00137.x. PMID15009103. S2CID13040175.
Iyer S, Scotney PD, Nash AD, Ravi Acharya K (May 2006). "Crystal structure of human vascular endothelial growth factor-B: identification of amino acids important for receptor binding". Journal of Molecular Biology. 359 (1): 76–85. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2006.03.002. PMID16616187.
Yamada E, Yamazaki K, Takano K, Obara T, Sato K (June 2006). "Iodide inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-A expression in cultured human thyroid follicles: a microarray search for effects of thyrotropin and iodide on angiogenesis factors". Thyroid. 16 (6): 545–554. doi:10.1089/thy.2006.16.545. PMID16839256.