A possible role of tryptase in angiogenesis in the brain of mdx mouse, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by muscle degeneration and affects the CNS. Dystrophin is absent in muscle and CNS of both DMD patients and mdx mouse, a model of DMD. While the involvement of vascular compartment in DMD was poorly investigated, some studies suggested a role for mast cells (MC). Tryptase, contained in the MC granules, stimulates angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated for the first time a correlation between the extent of angiogenesis and the number of tryptase-positive neurons and microvessels and suggest that the tryptase contained in the neurons and in the endothelial cells of the mdx mouse brain may be involved in the regulation of angiogenesis taking place in mdx mouse.
Nico
B
B
Department of Human Anatomy, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, Policlinico, I-70124, Bari, Italy.
Marzullo
A
A
Corsi
P
P
Vacca
A
A
Roncali
L
L
Ribatti
D
D
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018101:Mice, Inbred mdx; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000201:enzymology; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000502:physiology*; D053802:Tryptases
C509190:Tpsb2 protein, mouse; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C509222:Tpsab1 protein, mouse; D053802:Tryptases