Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell-specific mitogen in vitro and an angiogenic inducer in a variety of in vivo models. Hypoxia has been shown to be a major inducer of VEGF gene transcription. The tyrosine kinases Flt-1 (VEGFR-1) and Flk-1/KDR (VEGFR-2) are high-affinity VEGF receptors. The role of VEGF in developmental angiogenesis is emphasized by the finding that loss of a single VEGF allele results in defective vascularization and early embryonic lethality. VEGF is critical also for reproductive and bone angiogenesis. Substantial evidence also implicates VEGF as a mediator of pathological angiogenesis. In situ hybridization studies demonstrate expression of VEGF mRNA in the majority of human tumors. Anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies and other VEGF inhibitors block the growth of several tumor cell lines in nude mice. Clinical trials with various VEGF inhibitors in a variety of malignancies are ongoing. Very recently, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab; Avastin) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy. Furthermore, VEGF is implicated in intraocular neovascularization associated with diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

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Vascular endothelial growth factor: basic science and clinical progress.

A neurotrophic model for stress-related mood disorders.

Mechanisms and functional implications of adult neurogenesis.

Byproducts of normal mitochondrial metabolism and homeostasis include the buildup of potentially damaging levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca2+, etc., which must be normalized. Evidence suggests that brief mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) openings play an important physiological role maintaining healthy mitochondria homeostasis. Adaptive and maladaptive responses to redox stress may involve mitochondrial channels such as mPTP and inner membrane anion channel (IMAC). Their activation causes intra- and intermitochondrial redox-environment changes leading to ROS release. This regenerative cycle of mitochondrial ROS formation and release was named ROS-induced ROS release (RIRR). Brief, reversible mPTP opening-associated ROS release apparently constitutes an adaptive housekeeping function by the timely release from mitochondria of accumulated potentially toxic levels of ROS (and Ca2+). At higher ROS levels, longer mPTP openings may release a ROS burst leading to destruction of mitochondria, and if propagated from mitochondrion to mitochondrion, of the cell itself. The destructive function of RIRR may serve a physiological role by removal of unwanted cells or damaged mitochondria, or cause the pathological elimination of vital and essential mitochondria and cells. The adaptive release of sufficient ROS into the vicinity of mitochondria may also activate local pools of redox-sensitive enzymes involved in protective signaling pathways that limit ischemic damage to mitochondria and cells in that area. Maladaptive mPTP- or IMAC-related RIRR may also be playing a role in aging. Because the mechanism of mitochondrial RIRR highlights the central role of mitochondria-formed ROS, we discuss all of the known ROS-producing sites (shown in vitro) and their relevance to the mitochondrial ROS production in vivo.

Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and ROS-Induced ROS Release

Molecular subclasses of high-grade glioma predict prognosis, delineate a pattern of disease progression, and resemble stages in neurogenesis

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) is a transcription factor that has been implicated in neuronal responses to ischemia. We examined the effect of global cerebral ischemia in the rat on the expression of CREB, its transcriptionally active phosphorylated form (pCREB), and the nuclear adaptor protein, CREB binding protein (CBP). Global ischemia induced the expression of pCREB and CBP in vulnerable neurons of the hippocampal CA1 sector. In primary cultures of murine cortical neurons subjected to hypoxia, CBP was selectively expressed in cells with morphologically intact cell nuclei, and not in cells with condensed or fragmented nuclei indicative of irreversibly damaged neurons. These results support a role for transcriptional activation by CREB and CBP in neuronal cell-survival programs following cerebral ischemia.

Cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and CREB binding protein (CBP) in global cerebral ischemia.

Effect of aging on neuroglobin expression in rodent brain.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF) stimulates cell proliferation in the adult mammalian brain, but the mechanism involved is unknown. To address this issue we treated mouse brain cerebral cortical cultures enriched in neuronal precursors with full-length HB-EGF, its HB or EGF-like domain alone, or both domains in combination. Labeling of cultures with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a marker of cell proliferation, was increased approximately 10% by the HB domain and approximately 20% by the EGF-like domain, and the effects of the two domains were additive. Full-length HB-EGF was most effective (approximately 50% increase) in stimulating BrdU incorporation. Preincubation with heparinase III or with Na-chlorate abolished cell proliferation induced by HB-EGF, consistent with dependence on cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. The effect of HB-EGF was also blocked by the EGF receptor (EGFR/ErbB1) inhibitors PD153035 and PD158780, implicating EGFR in HB-EGF-induced cell proliferation. The phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin, and the MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK) inhibitors U0126 and PD98059, reduced HB-EGF-induced BrdU incorporation into cultures, and HB-EGF enhanced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK, implying a role for PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling in HB-EGF-stimulated cell proliferation. These findings help to clarify the molecular mechanisms through which HB-EGF operates.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor stimulates cell proliferation in cerebral cortical cultures through phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor in hippocampus is associated with cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is an intracellular, oxygen-binding neuronal protein with protective effects against ischemia and related pathological processes. To identify small molecules capable of inducing Ngb protein expression, which might have therapeutic benefit, we examined Ngb expression by Western blot in cultured HN33 (mouse hippocampal neuron × N18TG2 neuroblastoma) cells. In addition to deferoxamine, which was shown previously to enhance Ngb levels, Ngb expression was increased by the short-chain fatty acids cinnamic acid and valproic acid (≥100 μmol/l), but not by other short-chain fatty acids, histone deacetylase inhibitors, or anticonvulsants. Drugs that stimulate the expression of neuroprotective proteins like Ngb may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of stroke and other neurological disorders.

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Xiao Ou Mao

Papers

Cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and CREB binding protein (CBP) in global cerebral ischemia.

Effect of aging on neuroglobin expression in rodent brain.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor stimulates cell proliferation in cerebral cortical cultures through phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor in hippocampus is associated with cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Pharmacological Induction of Neuroglobin Expression