Autocrine and paracrine functions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in renal tubular epithelial cells

These in vitro studies indicate that (1) tubular epithelial cells chemoattract endothelial cells in a paracrine fashion by secreting VEGF, and (2) VEGF stimulates proliferation and promotes survival of renal epithelial cells in an autocrine manner via VEGFR-2. Taken together, our results suggest that VEGF supports the growth of renal epithelia in addition to mediating kidney vascularization.