Neuroprotective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Motoneurons of the Oculomotor System
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was initially characterized as a potent angiogenic factor based on its activity on the vascular system. However, it is now well established that VEGF also plays a crucial role as a neuroprotective factor in the nervous system. A deficit of VEGF has been rela...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/2/814 |
| _version_ | 1797411163451949056 |
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| author | Silvia Silva-Hucha Angel M. Pastor Sara Morcuende |
| author_facet | Silvia Silva-Hucha Angel M. Pastor Sara Morcuende |
| author_sort | Silvia Silva-Hucha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was initially characterized as a potent angiogenic factor based on its activity on the vascular system. However, it is now well established that VEGF also plays a crucial role as a neuroprotective factor in the nervous system. A deficit of VEGF has been related to motoneuronal degeneration, such as that occurring in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Strikingly, motoneurons of the oculomotor system show lesser vulnerability to neurodegeneration in ALS compared to other motoneurons. These motoneurons presented higher amounts of VEGF and its receptor Flk-1 than other brainstem pools. That higher VEGF level could be due to an enhanced retrograde input from their target muscles, but it can also be produced by the motoneurons themselves and act in an autocrine way. By contrast, VEGF’s paracrine supply from the vicinity cells, such as glial cells, seems to represent a minor source of VEGF for brainstem motoneurons. In addition, ocular motoneurons experiment an increase in VEGF and Flk-1 level in response to axotomy, not observed in facial or hypoglossal motoneurons. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the differences in VEGF availability that could contribute to the higher resistance of extraocular motoneurons to injury and neurodegenerative diseases. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:41:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-85d8c09cfe5943b88afdf4e0e29f6f9f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:41:05Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-85d8c09cfe5943b88afdf4e0e29f6f9f2023-12-03T13:21:00ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672021-01-0122281410.3390/ijms22020814Neuroprotective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Motoneurons of the Oculomotor SystemSilvia Silva-Hucha0Angel M. Pastor1Sara Morcuende2Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainDepartamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainDepartamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was initially characterized as a potent angiogenic factor based on its activity on the vascular system. However, it is now well established that VEGF also plays a crucial role as a neuroprotective factor in the nervous system. A deficit of VEGF has been related to motoneuronal degeneration, such as that occurring in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Strikingly, motoneurons of the oculomotor system show lesser vulnerability to neurodegeneration in ALS compared to other motoneurons. These motoneurons presented higher amounts of VEGF and its receptor Flk-1 than other brainstem pools. That higher VEGF level could be due to an enhanced retrograde input from their target muscles, but it can also be produced by the motoneurons themselves and act in an autocrine way. By contrast, VEGF’s paracrine supply from the vicinity cells, such as glial cells, seems to represent a minor source of VEGF for brainstem motoneurons. In addition, ocular motoneurons experiment an increase in VEGF and Flk-1 level in response to axotomy, not observed in facial or hypoglossal motoneurons. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the differences in VEGF availability that could contribute to the higher resistance of extraocular motoneurons to injury and neurodegenerative diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/2/814VEGFoculomotor systemtrophic factorsmotoneuronsneurodegenerationaxotomy |
| spellingShingle | Silvia Silva-Hucha Angel M. Pastor Sara Morcuende Neuroprotective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Motoneurons of the Oculomotor System International Journal of Molecular Sciences VEGF oculomotor system trophic factors motoneurons neurodegeneration axotomy |
| title | Neuroprotective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Motoneurons of the Oculomotor System |
| title_full | Neuroprotective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Motoneurons of the Oculomotor System |
| title_fullStr | Neuroprotective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Motoneurons of the Oculomotor System |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neuroprotective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Motoneurons of the Oculomotor System |
| title_short | Neuroprotective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Motoneurons of the Oculomotor System |
| title_sort | neuroprotective effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on motoneurons of the oculomotor system |
| topic | VEGF oculomotor system trophic factors motoneurons neurodegeneration axotomy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/2/814 |
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