title: Nerve growth factor induces angiogenic activity in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia.
abstract: Recent studies suggest that nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophic factor known to play a crucial role in neurite growth and differentiation, may also modulate vascular cell functions. In the present study, it was investigated whether NGF exhibits an angiogenic effect in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia induced by femoral artery occlusion. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determination revealed an enhanced endogenous NGF production (378 +/- 100 and 54 +/- 26 pg/g tissue in 7 day ischemic and normoperfused adductor muscles, respectively; P<0.05). Furthermore, exogenous NGF, administered subcutaneously for 7 days in ischemic hindlimb, induced a marked increase of arteriole length density (NGF =41 +/- 5 vs. Saline=22 +/- 4 mm/mm(3); P<0.05). However, capillaries were not significantly increased (NGF =1035 +/- 182 vs. Saline= 829 +/- 60 mm/mm(3); P>0.05). In conclusion, the present study provides first evidence that NGF exerts angiogenic properties in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Patologia Vascolare, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Turrini
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gaetano
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonelli
authors.forename: Maurizio C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Capogrossi
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aloe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020932:Nerve Growth Factor