VEGFR2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2; also known as KDR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed principally on vascular endothelial cells. It is the primary receptor mediating the pro-angiogenic effects of VEGF-A, coupling ligand binding to endothelial proliferation, migration, survival and tube formation.
Downstream signalling from activated VEGFR2 engages the PI3K-Akt-eNOS axis (linking VEGFR2 to nitric-oxide production), the MAPK cascade, and FAK-paxillin focal-adhesion signalling — pathways that together coordinate the endothelial phenotype required for new-vessel formation.
In BPC-157 research, VEGFR2 is the most frequently cited receptor-level target. Reported effects are described as up-regulation and activation of VEGFR2 rather than direct high-affinity binding of BPC-157 to the receptor.