Adaptive hypoxic tolerance in the subterranean mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi:the role of vascular endothelial growth factor

Spalax ehrenbergi has evolved adaptations that allow it to survive and carr y out normal activities in a highly hypoxic environment. A key component of this adaptation is a higher capillary density in some Spalax tissues resul ting in a shorter diffusion distance for oxygen, Vascular endothelial growt h factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor that is critical for angiogenesis d uring development and in response to tissue ischemia. We demonstrate here t hat VEGF expression is markedly increased in those Spalax tissues with a hi gher capillary density relative to the normal laboratory rat Rattus norvegi cus. Upregulation of VEGF thus appears to be an additional mechanism by whi ch Spalax has adapted to its hypoxic environment. (C) 1999 Federation of Eu ropean Biochemical Societies.