In this application, we propose to investigate the roles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin 1 (Ang 1) in cerebral angiogenesis and blood brain barrier (BBB) leakage after focal cerebral embolic ischemia. Our preliminary data demonstrate that administration of VEGF at the time when endogenous Ang 1 is upregulated enhances angiogenesis in ischemic brain and improves functional recovery after stroke. Furthermore, an increase in levels of Ang 1 reduces BBB leakage after acute stroke. Our hypotheses are: 1) Co-administration of recombinant human VEGF165 (rhVEGF165) and BowAng 1, a forced Ang1 homodimer containing an Fc fusion protein, enhances angiogenesis and consequently improves neurological recovery. Enhancement of angiogenesis in ischemic brain promotes axonal and dendritic sprouting and synapse formation which leads to improved functional recovery; 2) VEGF and Ang 1 cooperatively maintain the integrity of BBB. An increase in levels of Ang 1 counteracts the effects of VEGF on vascular permeability and consequently decreases BBB leakage after stroke. The proposed experiments have been designed to test these hypotheses. We will first determine the effect of administration of rhVEGF165 and BowAng1 on cerebral angiogenesis and functional recovery after stroke. We will also investigate potential molecular and cellular mechanisms by which rhVEGF165 and BowAng1 treatments enhance functional recovery by measuring axonal and dendritic sprouting and synapse formation. Second, we will determine the effect of administration of BowAng1 on BBB leakage after ischemia. These studies will provide insights into roles of VEGF and Ang 1 in maintaining BBB integrity. Changes of BBB permeability, angiogenesis and axonal and dendritic sprouting will be measured by means of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, quantitative autoradiography, Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy, and a novel software program for three-dimensional image analysis. We believe that these are unique and fresh approaches that may yield promising insights into the fundamental basis for angiogenic growth factors in controlling BBB integrity and angiogenesis and may lead to development of an effective restorative therapy for the treatment of ischemic stroke and cerebral edema.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS043324-01A1
Application #
6572036
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDCN-4 (01))
Program Officer
Jacobs, Tom P
Project Start
2002-12-15
Project End
2006-11-30
Budget Start
2002-12-15
Budget End
2003-11-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$271,700
Indirect Cost
Name
Henry Ford Health System
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073134603
City
Detroit
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48202
Ding, Guang-Liang; Chopp, Michael; Li, Lian et al. (2014) Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Stroke in the Rat. Bo Pu Xue Za Zhi 31:116-132
Li, Lian; Chopp, Michael; Ding, Guang Liang et al. (2012) MRI measurement of angiogenesis and the therapeutic effect of acute marrow stromal cell administration on traumatic brain injury. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 32:2023-32
Jiang, Quan; Ewing, James R; Chopp, Michael (2012) MRI of blood-brain barrier permeability in cerebral ischemia. Transl Stroke Res 3:56-64
Jiang, Quan; Qu, Changsheng; Chopp, Michael et al. (2011) MRI evaluation of axonal reorganization after bone marrow stromal cell treatment of traumatic brain injury. NMR Biomed 24:1119-28
Ding, Guangliang; Jiang, Quan; Li, Lian et al. (2010) Cerebral tissue repair and atrophy after embolic stroke in rat: a magnetic resonance imaging study of erythropoietin therapy. J Neurosci Res 88:3206-14
Jiang, Quan; Zhang, Zheng Gang; Chopp, Michael (2010) MRI evaluation of white matter recovery after brain injury. Stroke 41:S112-3
Li, Lian; Jiang, Quan; Ding, Guangliang et al. (2010) Effects of administration route on migration and distribution of neural progenitor cells transplanted into rats with focal cerebral ischemia, an MRI study. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 30:653-62
Jiang, Quan; Zhang, Zheng Gang; Chopp, Michael (2010) MRI of stroke recovery. Stroke 41:410-4
Li, Lian; Jiang, Quan; Ding, Guangliang et al. (2009) MRI identification of white matter reorganization enhanced by erythropoietin treatment in a rat model of focal ischemia. Stroke 40:936-41
Athiraman, Hemanthkumar; Jiang, Quan; Ding, Guang Liang et al. (2009) Investigation of relationships between transverse relaxation rate, diffusion coefficient, and labeled cell concentration in ischemic rat brain using MRI. Magn Reson Med 61:587-94

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