scholarly journals Microvascular changes associated with epilepsy: A narrative review

2021 ◽  
pp. 0271678X2110103
Author(s):  
Rick HGJ van Lanen ◽  
Stan Melchers ◽  
Govert Hoogland ◽  
Olaf EMG Schijns ◽  
Marc AMJ van Zandvoort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Vascular Anatomy ◽  
Basement Membranes ◽  
Endothelial Cell Proliferation ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Microvascular Changes ◽  
Membrane Changes ◽  
Epilepsy Models ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is dysfunctional in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). In this regard, microvascular changes are likely present. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on microvascular changes in epilepsy, and includes clinical and preclinical evidence of seizure induced angiogenesis, barriergenesis and microcirculatory alterations. Anatomical studies show increased microvascular density in the hippocampus, amygdala, and neocortex accompanied by BBB leakage in various rodent epilepsy models. In human TLE, a decrease in afferent vessels, morphologically abnormal vessels, and an increase in endothelial basement membranes have been observed. Both clinical and experimental evidence suggests that basement membrane changes, such as string vessels and protrusions, indicate and visualize a misbalance between endothelial cell proliferation and barriergenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) appears to play a crucial role. Following an altered vascular anatomy, its physiological functioning is affected as expressed by neurovascular decoupling that subsequently leads to hypoperfusion, disrupted parenchymal homeostasis and potentially to seizures”. Thus, epilepsy might be a condition characterized by disturbed cerebral microvasculature in which VEGF plays a pivotal role. Additional physiological data from patients is however required to validate findings from models and histological studies on patient biopsies.

scholarly journals Mid-luteal angiogenesis and function in the primate is dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor

2001 ◽  
Vol 168 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
SE Dickson ◽  
R Bicknell ◽  
HM Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Proliferation Index ◽  
Endothelial Cell Proliferation ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is essential for the angiogenesis required for the formation of the corpus luteum; however, its role in ongoing luteal angiogenesis and in the maintenance of the established vascular network is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether VEGF inhibition could intervene in ongoing luteal angiogenesis using immunoneutralisation of VEGF starting in the mid-luteal phase. In addition, the effects on endothelial cell survival and the recruitment of periendothelial support cells were examined. Treatment with a monoclonal antibody to VEGF, or mouse gamma globulin for control animals, commenced on day 7 after ovulation and continued for 3 days. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), used to label proliferating cells to obtain a proliferation index, was administered one hour before collecting ovaries from control and treated animals. Ovarian sections were stained using antibodies to BrdU, the endothelial cell marker, CD31, the pericyte marker, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and 3' end DNA fragments as a marker for apoptosis. VEGF immunoneutralisation significantly suppressed endothelial cell proliferation and the area occupied by endothelial cells while increasing pericyte coverage and the incidence of endothelial cell apoptosis. Luteal function was markedly compromised by anti-VEGF treatment as judged by a 50% reduction in plasma progesterone concentration. It is concluded that ongoing angiogenesis in the mid-luteal phase is primarily driven by VEGF, and that a proportion of endothelial cells of the mid-luteal phase vasculature are dependent on VEGF support.

Taming of the wild vessel: promoting vessel stabilization for safe therapeutic angiogenesis

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1654-1658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Reginato ◽  
Roberto Gianni-Barrera ◽  
Andrea Banfi
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Therapeutic Angiogenesis ◽  
Maturation Stage ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Cellular Regulation ◽  
Vessel Growth ◽  
Vascular Structures ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Vascular Maturation

VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is the master regulator of blood vessel growth. However, it displayed substantial limitations when delivered as a single gene to restore blood flow in ischaemic conditions. Indeed, uncontrolled VEGF expression can easily induce aberrant vascular structures, and short-term expression leads to unstable vessels. Targeting the second stage of the angiogenic process, i.e. vascular maturation, is an attractive strategy to induce stable and functional vessels for therapeutic angiogenesis. The present review discusses the limitations of VEGF-based gene therapy, briefly summarizes the current knowledge of the molecular and cellular regulation of vascular maturation, and describes recent pre-clinical evidence on how the maturation stage could be targeted to achieve therapeutic angiogenesis.

scholarly journals VEGF-A in Cardiomyocytes and Heart Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5294
Author(s):  
Mariantonia Braile ◽  
Simone Marcella ◽  
Leonardo Cristinziano ◽  
Maria Rosaria Galdiero ◽  
Luca Modestino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Main Cell Type ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Cytokine Stimulation ◽  
The One ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a homodimeric vasoactive glycoprotein, is the key mediator of angiogenesis. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is responsible for a wide variety of physio/pathological processes, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Cardiomyocytes (CM), the main cell type present in the heart, are the source and target of VEGF-A and express its receptors, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, on their cell surface. The relationship between VEGF-A and the heart is double-sided. On the one hand, VEGF-A activates CM, inducing morphogenesis, contractility and wound healing. On the other hand, VEGF-A is produced by CM during inflammation, mechanical stress and cytokine stimulation. Moreover, high concentrations of VEGF-A have been found in patients affected by different CVD, and are often correlated with an unfavorable prognosis and disease severity. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge about the expression and effects of VEGF-A on CM and the role of VEGF-A in CVD, which are the most important cause of disability and premature death worldwide. Based on clinical studies on angiogenesis therapy conducted to date, it is possible to think that the control of angiogenesis and VEGF-A can lead to better quality and span of life of patients with heart disease.

scholarly journals MLC901 Favors Angiogenesis and Associated Recovery after Ischemic Stroke in Mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 139-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine Gandin ◽  
Catherine Widmann ◽  
Michel Lazdunski ◽  
Catherine Heurteaux
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Neurovascular Unit ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
Herbal Extract ◽  
Endothelial Cell Proliferation ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
Important Player ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Background: There is increasing evidence that angiogenesis, through new blood vessel formation, results in improved collateral circulation and may impact the long-term recovery of patients. In this study, we first investigated the preventive action of a 5-week pretreatment of MLC901, an herbal extract preparation derived from Chinese medicine, against the deleterious effects of ischemic stroke and its effects on angiogenesis in a model of focal ischemia in mice. Methods: The stroke model was induced by 60 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. MLC901 was administered in the drinking water of animals (6 g/l) for 5 weeks before ischemia and then during reperfusion. Results: MLC901 treatment increased the survival rate, reduced the cerebral infarct area and attenuated the blood brain barrier leakage as well as the neurologic dysfunction following ischemia and reperfusion. We provide evidence that MLC901 enhances endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis by increasing the number of neocortical vessels in the infarcted area. MLC901 regulates the expression of hypoxic inducible factor 1α and its downstream targets such as vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietins 1 and 2. This work also shows that erythropoietin is an important player in the enhancement of angiogenesis by MLC901. Conclusions: These results demonstrate therapeutic properties of MLC901, in addition to those previously described, in stimulating revascularization, neuroprotection and repair of the neurovascular unit after ischemic stroke.

scholarly journals Intravascular neutrophils partially mediate the endometrial endothelial cell proliferative response to oestrogen in ovariectomised mice

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Heryanto ◽  
J E Girling ◽  
P A W Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Proliferative Response ◽  
Endothelial Cell Proliferation ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Oestrogen Treatment ◽  
Neutrophil Depletion ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of intravascular neutrophils in initiating endothelial cell proliferation following oestrogen treatment in ovariectomised mouse endometrium. Uterine tissues were collected from ovariectomised C57/CBA female mice 24 h after oestrogen treatment with or without systemic neutrophil depletion. Neutropenia was achieved with either an in-house anti-neutrophil serum (ANS) or Gr-1 monoclonal antibody. All mice received an i.p. injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) 4 h prior to dissection to allow visualisation of proliferating cells using immunocytochemistry. Endometrial sections were immunostained for BrdU, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and neutrophils (using ANS). Oestrogen treatment of ovariectomised mice significantly increased the number of intravascular neutrophils, whereas induction of neutropenia with either ANS or Gr-1 in conjunction with oestrogen treatment prevented this increase. Oestrogen treatment of ovariectomised mice also significantly increased the number of intravascular VEGF-positive cells; however, whereas induction of neutropenia with ANS significantly reduced this increase, Gr-1 did not. In both studies, neutropenia significantly reduced, but did not eliminate, the amount of endometrial endothelial cell proliferation. These results suggest a role for neutrophils in endometrial angiogenesis following acute oestrogen treatment; however, the presence of VEGF-positive cells even after induction of neutropenia suggests that more than one type of leukocyte may be involved.

scholarly journals Human endometrial angiogenesis

Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 181-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
CE Gargett ◽  
PA Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Human Endometrium ◽  
Endothelial Cell Proliferation ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Proliferative Phase ◽  
Vessel Growth ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
Reproductive Life ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Angiogenesis is the development of new microvessels from existing vessels, a process that involves microvascular endothelial cells. Physiological angiogenesis rarely occurs in adults except in the ovary and endometrium during the reproductive life of females. Angiogenesis occurs by sprouting and non-sprouting mechanisms. Since endothelial sprouts are not observed in human endometrium, we hypothesized that non-sprouting mechanisms such as intussusception and elongation are involved in endometrial angiogenesis. The demand for angiogenesis differs spatially and temporally in the endometrium: angiogenesis occurs in the basalis layer during menstruation and in the functionalis and subepithelial capillary plexus during the proliferative and early secretory stages. Most studies have failed to demonstrate a link between expression of endometrial angiogenic factors and new vessel growth. However, we demonstrated recently a strong relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunolocalized in in-travascular neutrophils and endothelial cell proliferation in each of the subepithelial capillary plexus, functionalis and basalis regions of the human endometrium. Our data also indicate that focal neutrophil VEGF has a role in the development of the subepithelial capillary plexus and functionalis microvessels during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. We propose that neutrophils are an intravascular source of VEGF for vessels that undergo angiogenesis by intussusception and elongation.

Addition of a c-myc epitope tag within the VEGF protein does not affect in vitro biological activity

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Chavand ◽  
Katrina Spilsbury ◽  
Piroska E Rakoczy
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cell Proliferation ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Heparin Binding ◽  
Epitope Tag ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Vegf Isoforms

The overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been strongly implicated in diseases involving neovascularization. VEGF exists in as many as six different isoforms, each showing a unique pattern of tissue distribution and activity. To investigate the effect of individual VEGF isoform overexpression in neovascular disease models, we inserted c-myc epitope tags into the three VEGF isoforms expressed in retinal pigment epithelial cells, VEGF121, VEGF165, and VEGF189. We found that the 12-amino acid insertion between the receptor binding and heparin binding domains did not affect VEGF transcription, translation, or secretion. In addition, VEGF isoforms containing the c-myc epitope tag were able to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation as efficiently as non-tagged VEGF isoforms and they could be individually identified by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry using the c-myc epitope specific monoclonal antibody 9E10.Key words: Vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF, c-myc epitope tag, immunocytochemistry.

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