Localization of VEGF-B in the mouse embryo suggests a paracrine role of the growth factor in the developing vasculature.

Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) is structurally closely related to VEGF and binds one of its receptors, VEGFR-1. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to localize VEGF-B mRNA and protein in embryonic mouse tissues. In 8.5-17.5 day embryos, VEGF-B was most prominently expressed in the developing myocardium, but not in the cardiac cushion tissue. The strong expression in the heart persisted at later developmental stages, while weaker signals were obtained from several other tissues, including developing muscle, bone, pancreas, adrenal gland, and from the smooth muscle cell layer of several larger vessels, but not from endothelial cells. VEGF-B is likely to act in a paracrine fashion, as its receptor is almost exclusively present in endothelial cells. VEGF-B may have a role in vascularization of the heart, skeletal muscles and developing bones, and in paracrine interactions between endothelial and surrounding muscle cells.