Endothelial Fatty Acid Transport: Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B

Abstract

Dietary lipids present in the circulation have to be transported through the vascular endothelium to be utilized by tissue cells, a vital mechanism that is still poorly understood. Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) regulates this process by controlling the expression of endothelial fatty acid transporter proteins (FATPs). Here, we summarize research on the role of the vascular endothelium in nutrient transport, with emphasis on VEGF-B signaling.

Fatty Acid Binding Proteins Expressed at the Human Blood–Brain Barrier Bind Drugs in an Isoform-Specific Manner

“…In agreement, we report here that hFABP3, hFABP4 and hFABP5 are also expressed at both the gene and protein level in the hCMEC/D3 cell line. This is the first study to demonstrate that hFABP3 and hFABP4 are present in a model of the human BBB and that the expression of these isoforms at the BBB is consistent with their expression in endothelial cells lining the vasculature in other organs (31). Given previous evidence that FABP5 plays a role in the BBB trafficking of palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid (21), it is possible that hFABP3 and hFABP4 may also be important for the transport of fatty acids across the BBB.…”

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling in Hypoxia and Inflammation

“…NRP2 has been found to complex with the receptor for VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGF receptor 3, also called fms-related tyrosine kinase receptor 4. Recent studies suggest that VEGF-B has a major role in regulating fatty acid transport across endothelium to tissues (88–90). VEGF-B expression pattern tightly correlated with nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins constituting electron transport complex.…”

Obesity and cancer phenotype: Is angiogenesis a missed link?

“…VEGF-B is abundantly present in tissues with highly active energy metabolism, where it could support relevant metabolic function. For instance, VEGF-B specifically control endothelial uptake of fatty acids via transcriptional regulation of vascular fatty acid transport proteins[63,64].…”