Vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) is also known as C-fos induced growth factor (FIGF), which belongs to the PDGF / VEGF growth factor family and is active in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration and also has effects on the permeability of blood vessels. This secreted protein VEGF-D / FIGF undergoes a complex proteolytic maturation, generating multiple processed forms that bind and activate VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. The structure and function of this protein is similar to those of VEGFC. FIGF / VEGF-D is highly expressed in lung, heart, small intestine and fetal lung. FIGF / VEGF-D may function in the formation of the venous and lymphatic vascular systems during embryogenesis, and also in the maintenance of differentiated lymphatic endothelium in adults. Binds and activates VEGFR-2 (KDR / FLK1) and VEGFR-3 (FLT4) receptors.