title: Targeted disruption of the Fgf2 gene does not affect vascular growth in the mouse ischemic hindlimb.
abstract: Ischemic revascularization involves extensive structural adaptation of the vasculature, including both angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Previous studies suggest that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 participates in both angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Despite this, the specific role of endogenous FGF-2 in vascular adaptation during ischemic revascularization is unknown. Therefore, we used femoral artery ligation in Fgf2(+/+) and Fgf2(-/-) mice to test the hypothesis that endogenous FGF-2 is an important regulator of angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in the setting of hindlimb ischemia. Femoral ligation increased capillary and arteriole density in the ischemic calf in both Fgf2(+/+) and Fgf2(-/-) mice. The level of angiographically visible arteries in the thigh was increased in the ischemic hindlimb in all mice, and no significant differences were observed between Fgf2(+/+) and Fgf2(-/-) mice. Additionally, limb perfusion progressively improved to peak values at day 35 postsurgery in both genotypes. Given the equivalent responses observed in Fgf2(+/+) and Fgf2(-/-) mice, we demonstrate that endogenous FGF-2 is not required for revascularization in the setting of peripheral ischemia. Vascular adaptation, including both angiogenesis and arteriogenesis, was not affected by the absence of FGF-2 in this model.
authors.affiliation: Physiological Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.
authors.forename: Chris J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doetschman
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hoying
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2