Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability: New Insights into the Role of VEGF and VASP

Strategic Insights -

Recent research has shed light on the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, particularly in the context of stroke and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. A study published in the International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience found that VEGF upregulates BBB permeability and increases the phosphorylation of vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), a critical component of tight junctions. This research provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction and may have significant implications for the development of treatments for stroke and other CNS disorders.

Key Takeaways:

  • VEGF plays a crucial role in BBB permeability, particularly in the context of stroke and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
  • Hypoxia upregulates VEGF expression, leading to increased BBB permeability.
  • VASP phosphorylation is affected by hypoxia and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) inhibition.
  • Tight junction protein ZO-1 and VASP are co-localized in cell-cell contacts.
  • The study highlights the potential role of VASP in BBB permeability and VEGFR2 in modulating VASP phosphorylation.
  • This research provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction and may have significant implications for the development of treatments for stroke and other CNS disorders.
  • The study suggests that VEGF-induced BBB permeability may be mediated through VEGFR2 and VASP phosphorylation.

Statistics:

  • The study used an in vitro BBB model using rbcec4 endothelial cell line.
  • BBB permeability was studied using (14)C-sucrose detection.
  • The expression of tight junction protein ZO-1 was determined using fluorescent immunocytochemistry and western blot analyses.
  • VAGEF increased BBB permeability by 30% as compared to control group.
  • VEGF upregulated VASP phosphorylation by 50% as compared to control group.
  • The study found that VASP phosphorylation was co-localized with ZO-1 in cell-cell contacts.

Sources:

  • Role of vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein in VEGF induced blood-brain barrier permeability in endothelial cell monolayers. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 2010; 28(6): 423-428.
  • Blood Brain Barrier.
  • NewsRx.com.