Differential Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in the Cortex and Hippocampus upon Cerebral Hypoperfusion

Abstract

Background/aim: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) provides tolerance against ischemic brain injury, yet, the pattern of VEGF expression in the neurogenic zones following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion has not been studied. Here we evaluated the immunoreactivity of VEGF in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Materials and methods: Chronic hypoperfusion was induced by bilateral common carotid artery ligation in rats. Immunohistochemistry was performed against hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and VEGF on brain sections.

Results: The density of HIF1α-positive cells in the hypoxia group was increased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Further, the density of VEGF-positive cells was significantly higher in the hypoxia group compared to the control group in the cerebral cortex whereas it was similar in the subventricular zone, and in the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus between the two groups.

Conclusion: The pattern of VEGF expression varies in different brain regions following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; bilateral common carotid artery occlusion; hypoxia; neurogenesis; vascular dementia.