Mice lacking the vascular endothelial growth factor-B gene (Vegfb) have smaller hearts, dysfunctional coronary vasculature, and impaired recovery from cardiac ischemia.
Vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B) is closely related to VEGF-A, an effector of blood vessel growth during development and disease and a strong candidate for angiogenic therapies. To further study the in vivo function of VEGF-B, we have generated Vegfb knockout mice (Vegfb(-/-)). Unlike Vegfa knockout mice, which die during embryogenesis, Vegfb(-/-) mice are healthy and fertile. Despite appearing overtly normal, Vegfb(-/-) hearts are reduced in size and display vascular dysfunction after coronary occlusion and impaired recovery from experimentally induced myocardial ischemia. These findings reveal a role for VEGF-B in the development or function of coronary vasculature and suggest potential clinical use in therapeutic angiogenesis.
Bellomo
D
D
QCF Transgenic Laboratory and Human Genetics Laboratory, Joint Experimental Oncology Program, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Australia.
Headrick
J P
JP
Silins
G U
GU
Paterson
C A
CA
Thomas
P S
PS
Gartside
M
M
Mould
A
A
Cahill
M M
MM
Tonks
I D
ID
Grimmond
S M
SM
Townson
S
S
Wells
C
C
Little
M
M
Cummings
M C
MC
Hayward
N K
NK
Kay
G F
GF
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D042561:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D042561:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B