VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR EXPRESSION IN TRANSIENT FOCAL CEREBRAL-ISCHEMIA IN THE RAT

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in hypox ia-induced angiogenesis in tumors and ischemia. We examined VEGF mRNA and protein expression after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery ( MCA) in rats. VEGF mRNA expression studied by in situ hybridization wa s increased in the ischemic border zone 24 h after 30, 60 or 120 min o f focal cerebral ischemia. VEGF protein expression measured by Western blots was also increased in this region 24 and 48 h after ischemia, a nd VEGF immunocytochemistry localized this increased expression to ast roglia. Thus, VEGF is induced after focal cerebral ischemia and could have a role in pathophysiology and recovery in the ischemic border zon e. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.