The Role of VEGF in Angiogenesis and Motor Recovery after Ischemic Stroke

Abstract—Recent scientific studies indicate that angiogenesis and neurogenesis are interrelated processes that determine the functional outcome after ischemic stroke. This literature review presents current data on neurovascular interactions in ischemic stroke and describes the role of the family of vascular endothelial growth factors in the regulation of angiogenesis and neurogenesis, which play a leading role in neuronal survival and neuroplasticity. The authors searched the literature on the pathophysiological role of VEGF in acute cerebral ischemia using the relevant keywords on the PubMed and Google Scholar search engines, as well as Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Global Health, CyberLeninka, eLibrary, and other databases. Clinical studies evaluating the role of VEGF in ischemic stroke are in most cases based on animal models, and their results are ambiguous, which is determined by the versatility of its action. VEGF is an important regulator of angiogenesis, neuroprotection, and neurogenesis, but its negative effect has also been proven in the form of an increase in the permeability of the BBB and, consequently, cerebral edema, as well as the activation of inflammatory processes. Thus, further study of VEGF is needed to determine its role in functional recovery after ischemic stroke.