Vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D), also known as c-fos-induced growth factor (FIGF), is a secreted glycoprotein of the VEGF/PDGF family. VEGFs regulate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis during development and tumor growth, and are characterized by eight conserved cysteine residues that form a cystine knot structure.Mouse and human VEGF-D are ligands for VEGF Receptor 3 (VEGF R3, also called Flt4) that are active across species and show enhanced affinity when processed . Processed human VEGF-D is also a ligand for VEGF R2, also called Flk1 or KDR. VEGF R3 is strongly expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells and is essential for regulation of the growth and differentiation of lymphatic endothelium. While VEGF-C is the critical ligand for VEGF R3 during embryonic lymphatic development, VEGF-D is most active in neonatal lymphatic maturation and bone growth. Both promote tumor lymphangiogenesis. Consonant with their activity on VEGF receptors, binding of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Synonyms: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D, VEGF-D, c-Fos-Induced Growth Factor, FIGF, VEGFD