Nerve growth factor and its receptors TrkA and p75 are upregulated in the brain of mdx dystrophic mouse

Neuroscience. 2009 Jul 21;161(4):1057-66. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.04.028. Epub 2009 Apr 17.

Abstract

Increased angiogenesis and an altered blood-brain barrier have been reported in the brain of dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse, an experimental model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying angiogenesis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, in this study we evaluated whether nerve growth factor (NGF) and nerve growth factor receptors (NGFRs) are involved, then correlated NGF-NGFRs expression with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) content and matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and -9) activity, by confocal laser microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Results showed that neurons, astrocytes and ependymal cells were strongly labeled by NGF in mdx brain, expressing NGFRs on glial and endothelial cells. In controls, NGF faintly labeled neurons and astrocytes, whereas endothelial cells were negative for NGFRs. Immunogold electron microscopy demonstrated NGFR gold particles on endothelial cells in mdx brain, while in controls few particles were recognizable only on glial end feet. Western blotting and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated a higher expression of NGF and NGFR mRNA and protein in mdx brain as compared to controls, and increase of VEGF-VEGFR-2 and active MMP-2 and -9 content. Overall, these data suggest that in the brain of mdx mice, an upregulation of the NGF-NGFRs system might be involved directly, or indirectly through the activation of VEGF-VEGFR-2 and MMP-2 and -9, in the angiogenic response taking place in this pathological condition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Astrocytes / ultrastructure
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / ultrastructure
  • Ependyma / metabolism
  • Ependyma / ultrastructure
  • Female
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred mdx
  • Muscular Dystrophies / metabolism*
  • Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Neuroglia / ultrastructure
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptor, trkA / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Ngfr protein, mouse
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptor, trkA
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Mmp2 protein, mouse
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Mmp9 protein, mouse