Brain-derived neurotrophic factor supports pericyte and vascular homeostasis in the aging brain.

ABSTRACT: Microvascular circulation in the brain is often impaired in connection with the loss of pericytes in old age. The neurotrophic factor BDNF also decreases in the aging brain. We hypothesized that BDNF regulates the homeostasis of cerebral pericytes and microvasculature. We used differently aged C57BL/6J mice, and C57BL/6 mice with conditional knockout of Bdnf gene. Collagen IV-positive microvessels and PDGFRβ-positive pericytes in the brain were counted after immunological staining. Pericytes were also quantified by Western blot of PDGFRβ and CD13 in isolated cerebral microvessels and flow cytometric analysis of brain cells. The level of BDNF and TrkB phosphorylation was determined in brain homogenates. To demonstrate the direct effect of BDNF on pericytes, TrkB and pericytes were co-staine

SUBMITTER: Luo Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12667088 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature