Effects of vascular endothelial growth factor on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells after hippocampal fimbria-fornix transection

Zhijian MA; Xinan YI; Changqi LI

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Mature brain contains neural stem cells. It is very important that how to directionally induce the differentiation of neural stem cells into a specific neuron, substitute for damaged neurons, in effective treatment of nervous system disease.

OBJECTIVE:

To study the role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in vivo.Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University from June 2007 to June 2008.MATERIALS A total of 24 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to model control, an'dbody treatment and sham operation groups.

METHODS:

Rat models of hippocampal fimbria and fomix transsection were established in the model control and antibody treatment groups. Rats in the sham operation only received digging skull operation. Immediately following model induction, rats in the antibody treatment group were subjected to 4 μL anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody. The needle was inserted at anterior fontanelle+0.6 mm, lateral side+0.6 mm and ventral side-5.5 mm at the affected side. Rats in the model control and sham operation groups were subjected to an equal volume of saline.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, Nestin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was observed using immunohistochemical method. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen index was calculated.

RESULTS:

Compared with the sham operation group, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and Nastin was significantly increased at the septal area following hippocampal fimbria and fornix transsection in the model control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model control group, Nestin expression was significantly decreased in the antibody treatment group (P< 0.01). The proliferating cell nuclear antigen diffusely expressed in neuronal cytoplasm in the sham operation group, with the presence of non-specific staining, and the proliferation index was nearly 0. A little proliferating cell nuclear antigen was found in the model control group, with a proliferating index of 1%. Following antibody treatment, the proliferating index was decreased to 0.

CONCLUSION:

Following septal area damage, the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor induces the occurrence of neural stem cells. High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor may be the promoting factor of occurrence and differentiation of neural stem cells, and the basis of self-repair following bran damage.