Prolonged mild hypoxia results in an increase in brain capillary density as an integral part of the acclimatization process. There are 2 major pathways responsible for brain angiogenesis: a hypoxia- inducible factor-1 (HIF-1?) dependent upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and a HIF-1? independent upregulation of cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). Upon return to normoxia, the capillary density returns to pre-hypoxic baseline through an angiolytic mechanism. The dynamic changes in the capillary density in response to changes in oxygen availability have led to the concept of angioplasticity which describes a balance between angiogenesis and angiolysis driven by the availability of oxygen/glucose with respect to energy demand. The long term goals of these investigations are to understand and to be able to manipulate the molecular mechanisms responsible for microvascular remodeling in the brain. These mechanisms that allow the neurovascular unit to adapt to environmental challenges are also likely to be involved in the vascular remodeling that occurs with learning, and which may be diminished with age. These processes can have an important contribution to the pathophysiology of ischemia and other metabolic and oxidative stresses. In this proposal we seek to identify the relative roles of the components of the neurovascular unit: neurons, astrocytes and endothelial cells in the regulation of the major modulatory molecules: HIF-1, HIF-2 and COX-2 that govern angiogenesis. The primary approach will be to use specific transgenic mice to isolate the cell-type specific modulators to determine their interrelationships.
The specific aims are organized to elucidate the role of neuronal HIF-1, astrocytic HIF-2, and endothelial COX-2 in angiogenesis and, in addition, the role of endothelial COX-2 in angiolysis.

Public Health Relevance

Exposure of mice to a simulated high altitude environment leads to an increase in the density of brain microvessels. In the previous years of the project we have found that the process of capillary growth is dependent on a number of molecules that act as oxygen sensors and that produce growth factors and other mediators that control the growth and death of capillaries. This new application proposes to gain a deeper understanding of the processes that control and maintain capillary density because this new information may prove useful for designing strategies for treatment of many neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, tumors and stroke.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS038632-13
Application #
8287022
Study Section
Brain Injury and Neurovascular Pathologies Study Section (BINP)
Program Officer
Koenig, James I
Project Start
2000-03-15
Project End
2015-06-30
Budget Start
2012-07-01
Budget End
2013-06-30
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$336,569
Indirect Cost
$122,194
Name
Case Western Reserve University
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
077758407
City
Cleveland
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44106
He, Chuan; Tsipis, Constantinos P; LaManna, Joseph C et al. (2017) Environmental Enrichment Induces Increased Cerebral Capillary Density and Improved Cognitive Function in Mice. Adv Exp Med Biol 977:175-181
Xu, Kui; Boas, David A; Sakadži?, Sava et al. (2017) Brain Tissue PO2 Measurement During Normoxia and Hypoxia Using Two-Photon Phosphorescence Lifetime Microscopy. Adv Exp Med Biol 977:149-153
Xu, Kui; Ye, Lena; Sharma, Katyayini et al. (2017) Diet-Induced Ketosis Protects Against Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Mouse. Adv Exp Med Biol 977:205-213
Xu, Kui; Puchowicz, Michelle A; LaManna, Joseph C (2016) Aging Effect on Post-recovery Hypofusion and Mortality Following Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation in Rats. Adv Exp Med Biol 876:265-270
Zhang, Le; Puchowicz, Michelle A; LaManna, Joseph C et al. (2016) Protective Effect of Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide on Recovery from Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation in Rats. Adv Exp Med Biol 923:31-36
Benderro, Girriso F; LaManna, Joseph C (2014) HIF-1?/COX-2 expression and mouse brain capillary remodeling during prolonged moderate hypoxia and subsequent re-oxygenation. Brain Res 1569:41-7
Tsipis, Constantinos P; Sun, Xiaoyan; Xu, Kui et al. (2014) Hypoxia-induced angiogenesis and capillary density determination. Methods Mol Biol 1135:69-80
Xu, Kui; LaManna, Joseph C (2014) Short-term hypoxic preconditioning improved survival following cardiac arrest and resuscitation in rats. Adv Exp Med Biol 812:309-315
Sun, Xiaoyan; Tsipis, Constantinos P; Benderro, Girriso F et al. (2014) Defining the role of HIF and its downstream mediators in hypoxic-induced cerebral angiogenesis. Methods Mol Biol 1135:251-60
Benderro, Girriso F; LaManna, Joseph C (2013) Kidney EPO expression during chronic hypoxia in aged mice. Adv Exp Med Biol 765:9-14

Showing the most recent 10 out of 51 publications