Intrastriatal gene transfer of vascular endothelial growth factor rescues dopaminergic neurons in a rat Parkinson's disease model.
To examine the ability of intrastriatal gene transfer of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 mediated by adenoviral vector to rescue dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD), we constructed recombinant replication-deficient adenoviral vectors carrying the gene of VEGF165 (Ad-VEGF), and injected Ad-VEGF (or Ad-LacZ and PBS as controls) into the striatum of rats 7 days after the lesion by 6-hydroxydopamine. The rat rotational behavior analysis and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry were performed to assess the change of dopaminergic neurons. Our results showed that the rats receiving Ad-VEGF injection displayed a significant improvement in apomorphine-induced rotational behavior and a significant preservation of TH-positive neurons and fibers compared with control animals. It is concluded that intrastriatal gene transfer by Ad-VEGF may rescue the dopaminergic neurons from degeneration in a rat model of PD.
Tian
Youyong
Y
Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430022, China.
Sun
Shenggang
S
Tang
Cuiju
C
Wang
Jianing
J
Chen
Xiaowu
X
Qiao
Xian
X
D000256:Adenoviridae; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A