Nucleic Acids as Therapeutic Agents - icaam

Fig. 11.12 Schematic representation of protein VEGF whichcontains both a receptor-binding domain and a heparin-bindingdomain. VEGF stimulates growth of new blood vessels insenescing retinal pigment epithelial cells, however, when the bloodvessels don’t form properly, there is scarring and loss of vision inthe macular region of the retina. An aptamer that binds to VEGF isinjected into the eye and suppresses age-related maculardegeneration. Approved by FDA in 2004.