VEGFA and Kaposi's sarcoma: The KSHV genome encodes 25 mature miRNAs to varying degrees, which have been shown to increase the expression of MMP1, MMP13, VEGFA, and VEGFR2 transcripts.541,545 In summary, KSHV primarily promotes KS growth and metastasis by enhancing angiogenic factors and MMP-mediated ECM remodeling.