It acts on lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) primarily via its receptor VEGFR-3 promoting survival, growth and migration.

[11] VEGF-C is a dimeric, secreted protein, which undergoes a complex proteolytic maturation resulting in multiple processed forms.

[19] Whether this holds true for humans is unknown, because there are major differences between human and mouse VEGF-D.[20] In a minority of lymphedema patients, the condition is caused by mutations in the VEGFC gene[21] and VEGF-C is a potential treatment for lymphedema,[22][23] even though the underlying molecular cause appears more often in the VEGF-Receptor-3 instead of VEGF-C itself.

[27][28] VEGF-C primarily stimulates lymphangiogenesis by activating VEGFR-3, yet under certain conditions it can also act directly on blood vessels to promote tumor angiogenesis.

In invertebrates, molecules from this families are not easily distinguished from each other and are collectively referred to as PVFs (PDGF/VEGF-like growth factors.