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Assessment of Vascular Regeneration in the CNS Using the Mouse Retina
07:32

Assessment of Vascular Regeneration in the CNS Using the Mouse Retina

Published on: June 23, 2014

VEGF and vascular changes in chronic neuroinflammation

S L Kirk1, S J Karlik

  • 1Department of Pathology, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.

Journal of Autoimmunity
|November 20, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Angiogenesis, or new blood vessel formation, is present in chronic neuroinflammation and demyelination in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). This study suggests new therapeutic strategies for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Vascular changes are linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology.
  • Evidence for angiogenesis in MS and its animal model, EAE, is limited.
  • Angiogenesis is often associated with chronic inflammatory disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the occurrence of angiogenesis in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE).
  • To correlate blood vessel formation with clinical and pathological signs of CNS inflammatory disease.
  • To explore potential therapeutic targets for MS.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated temporal and spatial blood vessel counts in guinea pigs with chronic-progressive EAE.
  • Assessed Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) immunoreactivity.
  • Analyzed histopathological changes in the spinal cord.

Main Results:

  • Increased blood vessel counts were observed in EAE lesions by day 15 post-immunization.
  • Vessel counts remained elevated throughout the disease course and correlated with clinical and pathological scores.
  • VEGF expression peaked during the transition from acute inflammation to chronic demyelination.

Conclusions:

  • Angiogenesis is implicated as a component of chronic neuroinflammation and demyelination in EAE.
  • Findings suggest that targeting angiogenesis may offer novel therapeutic strategies for MS.
  • The study provides evidence for the role of vascular changes in the progression of demyelinating diseases.

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