How PEDF prevents angiogenesis: a hypothesized pathway.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a multiple functional protein, coded by the serine proteinase inhibitor, clade F, member 1 (SERPINF1) gene, which has both anti-angiogenic activity and neurotrophic activity at the same time. Its antiangiogenic activity in the mammalian eye is the most potent known at this time. However, the mechanism(s) by which PEDF works in vivo is still uncertain. Some observations suggest that PEDF can simultaneously inhibit the migration and proliferation induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and then further inhibits angiogenesis by interacting with specific cell surface receptors, but no such receptor has been reported to date. Here we propose a hypothesis that PEDF exerts its function by binding with intergrins. Intergrin can therefore serve as the receptor of PEDF.