Time- and cell type-specific induction of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β during cerebral ischemia

• Published in: Brain research. Molecular brain research. Vol. 113; no. 1; pp. 44 - 51
• Main Authors: Renner, Oliver, Tsimpas, Asterios, Kostin, Sawa, Valable, Samuel, Petit, Edwige, Schaper, Wolfgang, Marti, Hugo H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 12.05.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - blood supply; Brain - metabolism; Brain - physiopathology; Brain Ischemia - genetics; Brain Ischemia - metabolism; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cerebral Infarction - genetics; Cerebral Infarction - metabolism; Edema; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Neovascularization, Physiologic - physiology; Neurology; Pericyte; Pericytes - metabolism; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 - metabolism; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor - metabolism; Reaction Time - genetics; Receptor tyrosine kinase; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta - genetics; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta - metabolism; Recovery of Function - physiology; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Stroke; Up-Regulation - genetics; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Vascular permeability; Disorders of the nervous systems; Angiogenesis; Pericyte; Edema; Stroke; Receptor tyrosine kinase; Vascular permeability; Nervous system diseases; Rodentia; Cardiovascular disease; Cerebral disorder; Vascular disease; Vertebrata; Experimental disease; Growth factor receptor; Mammalia; Ischemia; Mouse; Animal; Central nervous system disease; Cerebrovascular disease; Platelet derived growth factor; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0169-328X; 1872-6941
• DOI: 10.1016/S0169-328X(03)00085-8

During cerebral ischemia, angiogenesis occurs inside and around the infarcted area. The growth of new blood vessels may contribute to a better outcome after stroke due to accelerated and increased delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the ischemic tissue. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B/PDGF receptor (PDGFR)-β system, hitherto thought to contribute mainly to neuroprotection, may also support angiogenesis and vascular remodeling by mediating interactions of endothelial cells with pericytes after cerebral ischemia. While platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B and its receptor PDGFR-β are essential factors for the recruitment of pericytes to brain capillaries during embryonic development, their role in blood vessel maturation during cerebral ischemia is not clear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the time course and location of PDGF-B and PDGFR-β expression in a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia. In contrast to the early and continuous induction of PDGF-B, PDGFR-β mRNA was specifically upregulated in vascular structures in the infarcted area 48 h after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Immunohistology and confocal microscopy analysis revealed the specific upregulation of PDGFR-β on blood vessels and suggested expression mainly on pericytes. Our results imply PDGFR-β as a key factor in vascular remodeling during stroke and suggest that the pleiotropic functions of PDGF-B may be regulated via the expression of its receptor. Influencing the PDGF system therapeutically might improve angiogenesis, cellular protection, and edema inhibition.