Neurons produce FGF2 and VEGF and secrete them at least in part by shedding extracellular vesicles.
We previously found that neurons are able to affect the ability of brain capillary endothelial cells to form in vitro a monolayer with properties resembling the blood-brain barrier. We then looked, by immunofluorescence and western analysis, for factors, produced by neurons, with the potential to influence growth and differentiation of endothelial cells. In the present paper, we report that neurons produce both vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor 2, two well-known angiogenic factors. More interestingly, we gained evidence that both factors are released by neurons, at least in part, by shedding of extracellular vesicles, that contain beta1 integrin, a membrane protein already known to be part of extracellular vesicles released by tumour cells. Shedding of extracellular vesicles by neurons was also confirmed by scanner electron microscopy.
Schiera
Gabriella
G
Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Proia
Patrizia
P
Alberti
Chiara
C
Mineo
Marco
M
Savettieri
Giovanni
G
Di Liegro
Italia
I
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000378:metabolism; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D022142:Secretory Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D019012:Integrin beta1; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D002166:Camptothecin