Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), originally known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates the formation of blood vessels. VEGF is required during embryogenesis to regulate the proliferation, migration, and survival of endothelial cells. In adults, VEGF functions mainly in wound healing and the female reproductive cycle. Pathologically, it is involved in tumor angiogenesis and vascular leakage. Circulating VEGF levels correlate with disease activity in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. VEGF is induced by hypoxia and cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, oncostatin M and TNF-alpha.