Definition of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): A substance made by cells that stimulates new blood vessel formation, a mitogen for vascular endothelial (vessel lining) cells.

VEGF is a polypeptide structurally related to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The gene for VEGF is on chromosome 6p12.