Hess A, Bloch W, Wittekindt C, Siodladczek J, Addicks K, Michel O
Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmannstr. 9, D-50924, Cologne, France.
Neurosci Lett. 2000 Feb 18;280(2):147-50. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(00)00774-6.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), known as an endothelial cell-specific mitogen, has been reported to be linked also to the NO/cGMP-pathway, which has been notified in the inner ear. Up to now, VEGF has not yet been described in the inner ear. We performed immunohistochemical analysis using specific antibodies to VEGF and to both known VEGF-receptors Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1 on paraffin-sections of temporal bones from guinea pigs (n=5). Immunoreactivity of VEGF, Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1 was detectable in a subpopulation of vestibular ganglion cells. VEGF could be found also in the endothelium of blood vessels, in fibrocytes of the lamina propria and in the neuroepithelium. Strong immuno-labelling to Flt-1 was evident in nerve fibres, vascular endothelium and in the neuroepithelium. Fibrocytes, endothelium of blood vessels, supporting cells and calyces in the sensory epithelium revealed immunoreactivity to KDR/Flk-1. These findings give evidence that VEGF, Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1 are constitutively expressed in the vestibule.
血管内皮生长因子（VEGF），作为一种内皮细胞特异性促分裂原，据报道还与内耳中已被发现的一氧化氮/环磷酸鸟苷（NO/cGMP）信号通路有关。到目前为止，内耳中尚未有VEGF的相关描述。我们使用针对VEGF以及已知的两种VEGF受体Flt-1和KDR/Flk-1的特异性抗体，对豚鼠（n = 5）颞骨石蜡切片进行了免疫组织化学分析。在前庭神经节细胞亚群中可检测到VEGF、Flt-1和KDR/Flk-1的免疫反应性。在血管内皮、固有层纤维细胞和神经上皮中也能发现VEGF。在神经纤维、血管内皮和神经上皮中，Flt-1呈现出强烈的免疫标记。纤维细胞、血管内皮、支持细胞以及感觉上皮中的杯状细胞均显示出对KDR/Flk-1的免疫反应性。这些发现表明VEGF、Flt-1和KDR/Flk-1在前庭中组成性表达。
