Vascular endothelial growth factor-B-deficient mice display an atrial conduction defect

Summary, in English

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors are essential regulators of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in both embryos and adults. One of the factors with a still unknown physiological function is VEGF-B, which is expressed in many tissues, including the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice carrying a targeted deletion in the VEGF-B gene were developed. In VEGF-B(-/-) animals, no gross abnormalities were observed in organs that normally show high expression of VEGF-B, such as the heart, muscle, and kidney. Analysis of heart function by ECG showed that adult VEGF-B(-/-) mice have an atrial conduction abnormality characterized by a prolonged PQ interval. VEGF- or basic fibroblast growth factor-induced corneal angiogenesis was similar in normal and VEGF-B(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF-B seems to be required for normal heart function in adult animals but is not required for proper development of the cardiovascular system either during development or for angiogenesis in adults.

• Author: Karin Aase; Gabriel von Euler; Xuri Li; Annica Pontén; Peter Thoren; Renhai Cao; Yihai Cao; Birgitta Olofsson; Samuel Gebre-Medhin; Milos Pekny; Kari Alitalo; Christer Betsholtz; Ulf Eriksson
• Publishing year: 2001
• Language: English
• Pages: 358-358
• Publication/Series: Circulation
• Volume: 104
• Issue: 3
• Links: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/104/3/358
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Topic: Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Keywords: electrocardiography; growth substances; angiogenesis; atrium; conduction
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1524-4539