Related Experiment Videos

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat

C S Cobbs1, J Chen, D A Greenberg

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA.

Neuroscience Letters
|July 31, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increased in rats after focal cerebral ischemia. This suggests VEGF may play a role in the brain

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is linked to angiogenesis in tumors and ischemia.
  • Understanding VEGF's role in cerebral ischemia is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein following middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in a rat model.
  • To determine the cellular localization of VEGF in the ischemic brain.

Main Methods:

  • Focal cerebral ischemia induced by MCA occlusion in rats.
  • In situ hybridization for VEGF mRNA detection.
  • Western blotting for VEGF protein quantification.
  • Immunocytochemistry for cellular localization of VEGF.

Main Results:

  • VEGF mRNA expression was elevated in the ischemic border zone 24 hours post-ischemia.
  • VEGF protein levels increased in the same region at 24 and 48 hours.
  • Immunocytochemistry identified astroglia as the source of increased VEGF expression.

Conclusions:

  • VEGF is induced following focal cerebral ischemia in rats.
  • The findings suggest a potential role for VEGF in the pathophysiology and recovery processes within the ischemic border zone.

Related Concept Videos