Neuronal FLT1 receptor and its selective ligand VEGF-B protect against retrograde degeneration of sensory neurons.
FASEB J
; 25(5): 1461-73, 2011 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21248239
ABSTRACT
Even though VEGF-B is a homologue of the potent angiogenic factor VEGF, its angiogenic activities have been controversial. Intrigued by findings that VEGF-B may also affect neuronal cells, we assessed the neuroprotective and vasculoprotective effects of VEGF-B in the skin, in which vessels and nerves are functionally intertwined. Although VEGF-B and its FLT1 receptor were prominently expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating the hindlimb skin, they were not essential for nerve function or vascularization of the skin. However, primary DRG cultures lacking VEGF-B or FLT1 exhibited increased neuronal stress and were more susceptible to paclitaxel-induced cell death. Concomitantly, mice lacking VEGF-B or a functional FLT1 developed more retrograde degeneration of sensory neurons in a model of distal neuropathy. On the other hand, the addition of the VEGF-B isoform, VEGF-B(186), to DRG cultures antagonized neuronal stress, maintained the mitochondrial membrane potential and stimulated neuronal survival. Mice overexpressing VEGF-B(186) or FLT1 selectively in neurons were protected against the distal neuropathy, whereas exogenous VEGF-B(186), either delivered by gene transfer or as a recombinant factor, was protective by directly affecting sensory neurons and not the surrounding vasculature. Overall, this indicates that VEGF-B, instead of acting as an angiogenic factor, exerts direct neuroprotective effects through FLT1. These findings also suggest a clinically relevant role for VEGF-B in preventing distal neuropathies.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Células Receptoras Sensoriais
/
Degeneração Retrógrada
/
Receptor 1 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular
/
Fator B de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
FASEB J
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
FISIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Bélgica