“…Interestingly, reduced HIF1a expression has also been reported in skin wounds of aged vs. young mice suffering diabetes (Liu, et al, 2008), a condition known to be a risk factor for age-related cerebrovascular disease (Kalaria, 2010). The heightened level of alpha 5 integrin Itga5 mRNA detected in aged cortex also supports the work of Lu et al (2004), who described a similar enhancement during transcriptional profiling of aged human frontal cortex, and may reveal action by age-associated advanced glycation endproducts (Molinari, et al, 2008). Increased expression of Flk1, Flt1 and Ang1 (the latter, a Tie2 ligand responsible for recruiting pericytes) at the NVU of aged cortex might further reflect compensatory changes to heighten VEGF responsiveness and stabilize aging cortical capillaries, respectively.…”