New perspectives on VEGF signalling in Alzheimer's disease

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling mediates pleiotropic effects within the brain, encompassing angiogenesis, neuronal survival, and immune signalling. There is growing interest in the role of VEGF signalling in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The generation of single-cell brain atlases and recent large multi-omic studies, including analysis of CSF and bloods alongside post-mortem brain tissue, have provided novel insights into the role of VEGF signalling in AD. Disruption of the VEGF-A/VEGFR2 signalling pathway, due in part to elevated soluble VEGFR1 expression may contribute to pathogenic angiogenesis, BBB leakiness, and neuronal loss in AD. Induction of VEGF-B/VEGFR1 signalling in microglia suggests that dysregulated VEGF-mediated immune cell signalling is a further influence on AD pathogenesis. A reduction in expression of the 'protective' VEGFR3 and co-receptors neuropilin 1 and 2 has also been recently linked to cognitive decline in AD. In large clinical studies, lower VEGF-A levels in CSF and serum, raised soluble VEGFR1in CSF and elevated PlGF in CSF and serum, are predictive of more rapid cognitive decline and accelerated Alzheimer's disease neuropathological change (ADNC). This review discusses findings from recent multi-omic studies of large clinical and neuropathological studies that prompt reconsideration of the nature of VEGF signalling in AD and shed light on some of the complexities and previous conflicts within the field.