title: The distribution of the growth factors FGF-2 and VEGF, and their receptors, in growing red deer antler.
abstract: The cellular distributions of the growth factors FGF-2 and VEGF, and their receptors FGFR1, FGFR2 and FGFR3, and VEGFR-2 respectively, were visualized by immunohistochemistry and light microscopy in sections of growing red deer antler. Both of these signalling systems were widely expressed in the integument and osteocartilaginous compartments. FGF-2 was found in the same cells as all three FGFRs, indicating that FGF signalling may be principally autocrine. The patterns of labelling for VEGF and its receptor were similar to those seen for FGF-2 and FGFR-3, in both compartments. Our data are consistent with the findings of others in suggesting that FGF-2 induces expression of VEGF, to stimulate and maintain high rates of neovascularisation and angiogenesis, thereby providing nutrients to both velvet and bone as they rapidly grow and develop. The presence of FGF and VEGF and their receptors in epithelial cells suggests that these signalling systems play a role in skin development, raising the possibility that one or both may be involved in the close coupling of the coordinated growth of the integument and osteocartilage of antler, a process which is poorly understood at present.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Angela K W
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Wei Lin
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Daniel John
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Verdon
authors.forename: Louise F B
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Barling
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000999:Antlers / Q000098:blood supply / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology; D003670:Deer / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000254:growth & development; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2