VEGF R3 (Flt-4)

VEGFR-3 (FLT4) is a receptor tyrosine kinase similar in structure to VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 but does not bind VEGF. However, the two known ligands have a high degree of homology to VEGF and are known as VEGF-C and VEGF-D. VEGFR-3 is reported to be found in many tissues including lung, intestine, brain and placenta (syncytiotrophoblasts). Throughout embryogenesis, VEGFR-3 mRNA is expressed in most endothelial cells, whilst being restricted to lymphatic vessels later in development. It appears to play an important role in the normal development of blood and lymphatic vessels. In tumors, expression has been reported in blood capillary endothelium and VEGFR-3 is thought to be involved in angiogenesis during tumor growth