Biolegend, 534904, Biotin anti-human PlGF Antibody

Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a member of the PDGF/VEGF family of growth factors. Four alternatively-spliced isoforms have been identified: PlGF-1, PlGF-2, PlGF-3, and PlGF-4. All isoforms are expressed in placental tissues, with PlGF-2 being expressed specifically during early placental development. PlGF-1 and PlGF-3 are considered diffusible isoforms, while PlGF-2 and PlGF-4 each contain a unique heparin binding domain that may increase associations with cell membranes. In addition to placental tissues, PlGF is expressed in the microvasculature, bone marrow, umbilical vein endothelia, uterine keratinocytes, and NK cells. PlGF binds to both VEGF-R1 and neuropilin, but not VEGF-R2 and induces monocyte activation, migration, inflammatory cytokine production. PlGF plays a key role in maternal vascular function during pregnancy, with circulating levels reaching a peak mid-gestation. It can be used as a marker for pregnancy-associated hypertensive disorders such as pre-eclampsia.