Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Slo1

Title: [Neuroprotective effects of recombinant adeno-associated virus expressing vascular endothelial growth factor on rat traumatic spinal cord injury and its mechanism].

Authors: Hui Qiang, Chen Zhang, Zhibin Shi, Ming Ling

Journal, date & volume: Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi, 2012 Jun , 26, 724-30

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22792773

Abstract
To investigate the neuroprotective effects of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) expressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) of rat and its mechanisms.The 144 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, and each group contained 36 rats. The rats in sham group (group A) received dorsal laminectomy without SCI and microinjection, the rats in model control group (group B), rAAV-green fluorescent protein (GFP) group (group C), and rAAV-hVEGF165-GFP group (group D) received dorsal laminectomy with SCI and injection of 20 microL saline, rAAV-GFP viruses, or rAAV-hVEGF165-GFP viruses, respectively. At 3 and 7 days after operation, Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate the neurologic function. At 7 days after operation, Nissl's body staining was used to evaluate the histopathological changes; apoptosis was confirmed by transmission electron microscope examination and TUNEL staining; the expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP-4) was detected by Western blot assay. At 1, 3, 5, and 7 days, ELISA assay was used to detect the VEGF165 protein expression.According to BBB scores, the neurologic function in group D was significantly better than those in groups B and C at 3 and 7 days after operation (P < 0.05). Nissl's body staining showed that tissue damage in group D was significantly milder than those in groups B and C at 7 days after operation (P < 0.05). ELISA results showed that VEGF165 protein expression was slowly-released in low dose in group D, and the expression in group D was significantly higher than that in groups A, B, and C at 3, 5, and 7 days after operation (P < 0.05). The results of transmission electron microscope and TUNEL staining showed that apoptosis rate of spinal cord neurons in group D was significantly lower than that in groups B and C at 7 days after operation (P < 0.05). The results of Western blot showed that AQP-4 expression in group D was significantly decreased when compared with that in groups B and C at 7 days after operation (P < 0.05).The rAAV expressing VEGF has neuroprotective effects by inhibiting apoptosis of spinal cord neurons and relieving spinal cord edema.