Although they share some receptor signalling pathways, many of the actions of PlGF are distinct from VEGF and this has revealed the enticing prospect that it could be a useful therapeutic target for treating early and late stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
High levels of PlGF have been found in aqueous humor, vitreous and/or retina of patients exhibiting retinopathies, especially those with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD).
It is suggested that increased expression of TGF-beta-related growth factors during diabetic retinopathy may cause PlGF secretion by RPE cells contributing to the stimulation of cell migration as a critical component of the progression of fibrovascular membranes.