title: Brain homeostasis: VEGF receptor 1 and 2-two unequal brothers in mind.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), initially thought to act specifically on the vascular system, exert trophic effects on neural cells during development and adulthood. Therefore, the VEGF system serves as a promising therapeutic target for brain pathologies, but its simultaneous action on vascular cells paves the way for harmful side effects. To circumvent these deleterious effects, many studies have aimed to clarify whether VEGFs directly affect neural cells or if the effects are mediated secondarily via other cell types, like vascular cells. A great number of reports have shown the expression and function of VEGF receptors (VEGFRs), mainly VEGFR-1 and -2, in neural cells, where VEGFR-2 has been described as the major mediator of VEGF-A signals. This review aims to summarize and compare the divergent roles of VEGFR-1 and -2 during CNS development and homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Center, Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Medical School, Heinrich-Hoffmann Strasse 7, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany. ina.wittkoschneider@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Ina M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Wittko-Schneider
authors.forename: Fabian T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Karl H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Plate
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D055495:Neurogenesis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2