title: VEGF and VEGF receptor levels in retinal and brain-derived endothelial cells.
abstract: Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell-specific angiogenic and permeability-inducing factor that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. The objectives of this study are to compare VEGF and VEGF receptor expression between retinal and brain-derived endothelial cells cultured in 5 or 30 mM glucose for 5 days. Our results show that expression of cell-surface VEGF receptors, assessed by flow cytometry, is higher in retinal-derived endothelial cells. RT-PCR results show that both retinal and brain-derived endothelial cells express comparable levels and types of VEGF. Exposure to 30 mM glucose for 5 days did not alter levels of VEGF or VEGF receptors. The higher level of VEGF receptor expression in retinal endothelial cells suggests that the retinal microcirculation may be more sensitive to the effects of VEGF and this may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and the Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
authors.forename: Talitha T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Rajah
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grammas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004727:Endothelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D005947:Glucose