Engineered zinc finger protein-mediated VEGF-a activation restores deficient VEGF-a in sensory neurons in experimental diabetes.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The objectives of the study were to evaluate retrograde axonal transport of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) protein to sensory neurons after intramuscular administration of an engineered zinc finger protein activator of endogenous VEGF-A (VZ+434) in an experimental model of diabetes, and to characterize the VEGF-A target neurons.

Research design and methods

We compared the expression of VEGF-A in lumbar (L)4/5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of control rats and VZ+434-treated and untreated streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In addition, axonal transport of VEGF-A, activation of signal transduction pathways in the DRG, and mechanical sensitivity were assessed.

Results

VEGF-A immunoreactivity (IR) was detected in small- to medium-diameter neur

SUBMITTER: Pawson EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2809974 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature