Beta1 integrin and VEGF expression in an experimental model of brain tissue heterotopia in the lung.
BACKGROUND
Integrins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are crucially involved in interaction, proliferation, migration, and survival of the cells. However, there is no report in the literature about beta1 integrin and VEGF expression in heterotopic brain tissue.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess beta1 integrin and VEGF expression in experimental brain tissue heterotopia in the lung during both fetal and neonatal periods.


METHODS
Twenty-four pregnant female Swiss mice were used to induce brain tissue heterotopia on the 15th gestational day. Briefly, the brain of one fetus of each dam was extracted, disaggregated, and injected into the right hemithorax of siblings. Six of these fetuses with pulmonary brain tissue implantation were collected on the 18th gestational day (group E18) and six other on the eighth postnatal day (group P8).


RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry of the fetal trunks showed implantation of glial fibrillary acidic protein- and neuronal nuclei-positive heterotopic brain tissue, which were also positive for beta1 integrin and VEGF in both groups E18 and P8.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that brain tissue heterotopia during fetal and postnatal period is able to complete integration with the lung tissue as well as to induce vascular proliferation which are the necessary steps for a successful implantation.
Quemelo
Paulo Roberto Veiga
PR
Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Simões
Deise Lucia Chesca
DL
Peres
Luiz Cesar
LC
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain; D002828:Choristoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039641:Integrin beta Chains / Q000378:metabolism*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010784:Photomicrography; D011247:Pregnancy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D039641:Integrin beta Chains; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467480:vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse