Vascular endothelial growth factor regulates the migration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells

118Citations
Citations of this article
131Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Originally identified as an angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) is now known to play multiple roles in the CNS, including the direct regulation of neuronal and astrocytic functions. Here, we ask whether VEGF-A can also have a novel role in white matter by modulating oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). OPCs were cultured from rat neonatal cortex. Expression of VEGFreceptor2/KDR/Flk-1 was confirmed with Western blot and immunostaining. VEGF-A did not affect proliferation or differentiation in OPC cultures, but VEGF-A promoted OPC migration in a concentration-dependent manner. Consistent with this migration phenotype, VEGF-A-treated OPCs showed reorganization of actin cytoskeleton in leading-edge processes. VEGF-A-induced migration and actin reorganization were inhibited by an anti-Flk-1 receptor-blocking antibody. Mechanistically, VEGF-A induced binding of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) with paxillin. The FAK inhibitor PF573228 reduced VEGF-A-induced OPC migration. VEGF-A signaling also evoked a transient rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and OPC migration was increased when antioxidants were removed from the culture media. Our findings demonstrate that VEGF-A can induce OPC migration via an ROS- and FAK-dependent mechanism, and suggest a novel role for VEGF-A in white-matter maintenance and homeostasis. © 2011 the authors.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Hayakawa, K., Pham, L. D. D., Som, A. T., Lee, B. J., Guo, S., Lo, E. H., & Arai, K. (2011). Vascular endothelial growth factor regulates the migration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Journal of Neuroscience, 31(29), 10666–10670. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1944-11.2011

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free