Brain regional angiogenic potential at the neurovascular unit during normal aging

详细信息	查看全文 | 推荐本文 |

• 作者：Nivetha Murugesan^a ; Tyler G. Demarest^a ; Joseph A. Madri^b ; Joel S. Pachter^a ; ^{pachter@nso1.uchc.edu}
• 关键词：Brain microvasculature ; Cerebral angiogenesis ; Normal aging ; Laser capture microdissection ; Neurovascular unit
• 刊名：Neurobiology of Aging
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：202_01974580
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：May, 2012
• 卷：33
• 期：5
• 页码：1004.e1-1004.e16
• 文件大小：3341 K

摘要

Given strong regional specialization of the brain, cerebral angiogenesis may be regionally modified during normal aging. To test this hypothesis, expression of a broad cadre of angiogenesis-associated genes was assayed at the neurovascular unit (NVU) in discrete brain regions of young versus aged mice by laser capture microdissection coupled to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Complementary quantitative capillary density/branching studies were performed as well. Effects of physical exercise were also assayed to determine if age-related trends could be reversed. Additionally, gene response to hypoxia was probed to highlight age-associated weaknesses in adapting to this angiogenic stress. Aging impacted resting expression of angiogenesis-associated genes at the NVU in a region-dependent manner. Physical exercise reversed some of these age-associated gene trends, as well as positively influenced cerebral capillary density/branching in a region-dependent way. Lastly, hypoxia revealed a weaker angiogenic response in aged brain. These results suggest heterogeneous changes in angiogenic capacity of the brain during normal aging, and imply a therapeutic benefit of physical exercise that acts at the level of the NVU.