Neurons produce FGF2 and VEGF and secrete them at least in part by shedding extracellular vesicles

Abstract

We previously found that neurons are able to affect the ability of brain capillary endothelial cells to form in vitro a monolayer with properties resembling the blood-brain barrier. We then looked, by immunofluorescence and western analysis, for factors, produced by neurons, with the potential to influence growth and differentiation of endothelial cells. In the present paper, we report that neurons produce both vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor 2, two well-known angiogenic factors. More interestingly, we gained evidence that both factors are released by neurons, at least in part, by shedding of extracellular vesicles, that contain β1 integrin, a membrane protein already known to be part of extracellular vesicles released by tumour cells. Shedding of extracellular vesicles by neurons was also confirmed by scanner electron microscopy.

Microvesicles shed from microglia activated by the P2X7-p38 pathway are involved in neuropathic pain induced by spinal nerve ligation in rats

“…However, the majority of studies have focused on exosomes rather than MVs shed from the cell surface of multiple cells originating from the brain. There is some evidence for the shedding of MVs from a neuronal origin [24,30]. MVs that shed from the cell surface of microglia has attracted interest as microglia, the immune cells of the nervous system, provide the first line of defense during brain injury.…”

Microvesicles: mediators of extracellular communication during cancer progression

“…The release of metalloproteases (MMPs) from microvesicles shed by tumor cells promotes tumor invasion and metastases Ginestra et al, 1998). Microvesicles shed from neurons and astrocytes contain growth factors and promote paracrine responses (Proia et al, 2008;Schiera et al, 2007). In addition, membrane proteins on microvesicles have been shown to interact specifically with molecules on target cells to promote signaling responses (Eken et al, 2008;Gasser et al, 2003;Losche et al, 2004;Pluskota et al, 2008).…”

Neuronal and BBB damage induced by sera from patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

“…Cell death was analyzed by staining the cells with a mixture of the fluorescent DNA-binding dyes, acridine orange (AO) and ethidium bromide (EB), each at a concentration of 100 μg/ ml in PBS, as previously described (26).…”