Up-regulation of neuropilin-1 in neovasculature after focal cerebral ischemia in the adult rat

Citation
Zg. Zhang et al., Up-regulation of neuropilin-1 in neovasculature after focal cerebral ischemia in the adult rat, J CEREBR B, 21(5), 2001, pp. 541-549
Citations number
37
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
ISSN journal
0271678X → ACNP
Volume
21
Issue
5
Year of publication
2001
Pages
541 - 549
Database
ISI
SICI code
0271-678X(200105)21:5<541:UONINA>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
During development, neuropilin-1 is a receptor for semaphorin 3a-mediated a xonal guidance and for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotion of angiogenesis. The authors measured neuropilin-1 expression in the adult ischemic brain using Northern blot, in situ hybridization, and immunohistoc hemistry. Neuropilin-1 mRNA was significantly up-regulated as early as 2 ho urs and persisted at least 28 days after focal cerebral ischemia. Acute up- regulation of neuropilin-1 mRNA primarily localized to the ischemic neurons . A marked increase in both mRNA and protein of neuropilin-1 was detected i n endothelial cells of cerebral blood vessels at the border and in the core of the ischemic lesion 7 days after ischemia, and neuropilin-1 gene expres sion persisted on these vessels for at least 28 days after ischemia. In the se areas. neovascularization was detected using three-dimensional reconstru cted images obtained from laser scanning confocal microscopy. Activated ast rocytes also exhibited neuropilin-1 immunoreactivity during 7 to 28 days of ischemia. Double immunofluorescent staining showed colocalization of neuro pilin-1 and VEGF to cerebral blood vessels and activated astrocytes. These data suggest that in addition to its role in axonal growth, up-regulation o f neuropilin-1, in concert with VEGF and its receptors, may contribute to n eovascular formation in the adult ischemic brain.