Cell type specific expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-1 and -2 suggests an important role of astrocytes in cerebellar vascularization

Mech Dev. 2001 Oct;108(1-2):45-57. doi: 10.1016/s0925-4773(01)00471-3.

Abstract

The vascularization of the central nervous system occurs by angiogenic sprouting, a process in which different factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin (Ang)-1/2 must act in a coordinated fashion. We investigated how these factors participate in capillarization of the cerebellum, an area experiencing marked reorganization processes during its postnatal development. VEGF and Ang-1 mRNA were predominantly expressed by astrocytes, while Ang-2 mRNA was specifically induced at the tip of invading endothelial cell cords. Similar to the cerebral cortex, vascularization of the cerebellum occurred in an inside-out pattern, following closely the generation and differentiation of each cerebellar layer. VEGF and Ang-1/2 expression patterns shifted in a similar inside-out fashion, supporting their proposed function in vessel growth and maturation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiopoietin-1
  • Angiopoietin-2
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Astrocytes / cytology
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Cell Division
  • Cerebellum / blood supply*
  • Cerebellum / cytology
  • Cerebellum / growth & development*
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / growth & development
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Lymphokines / genetics*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / genetics
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor, TIE-2
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Growth Factor / genetics
  • Receptors, TIE
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Angiopoietin-1
  • Angiopoietin-2
  • Angpt1 protein, rat
  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Lymphokines
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Growth Factor
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, TIE-2
  • Receptors, TIE
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor