Vegfa, short for vascular endothelial growth factor A, is a pivotal regulator of vascular development, especially angiogenesis [1,2,3,5]. It is involved in multiple signal transduction pathways, such as those related to extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), Src, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Rho family GTPases, endothelial NO, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which are essential for angiogenesis and vascular permeability [1]. Vegfa is of great biological importance in various physiological and pathological processes, including tumor growth, cerebrovascular diseases, and heart regeneration [1,3,4].

In tumor angiogenesis, Vegfa-driven responses result in a dysfunctional vasculature, and tumors often develop resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy targeting Vegfa signal transduction, likely due to the high degree of redundancy and complexity of Vegfa-driven angiogenesis [1]. Emodin, a herb-sourced small molecule, can inhibit breast cancer angiogenesis by targeting Vegfa transcription, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies [2]. In zebrafish, understanding Vegfa's role during heart regeneration may help design efficient therapies for myocardial infarction and heart failure [4].

In conclusion, Vegfa is crucial for vascular development, playing key roles in angiogenesis and vascular permeability. Its study, especially through models like zebrafish in heart regeneration, provides insights into potential therapeutic approaches for diseases such as cancer, cerebrovascular diseases, and heart-related disorders [1,2,3,4].