VEGFA and ablepharon macrostomia syndrome: VEGF mRNA and protein levels were significantly upregulated in mice and rats exposed to 6–10% O2 (corresponding to an altitude of 4000–9500 m) (Fig. 2, left).198,199 Increased vascular permeability in mice exposed to 8% oxygen could be completely prevented by VEGF neutralizing antibodies, suggesting that hypoxia-induced VEGF production causes brain vasogenic edema (Fig. 2, left).198 These findings demonstrate that VEGF antagonists may be promising agents for preventing and treating AMS and HACE.