Characterization of the expression of Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 in the Corpus Cavernosum of the rat during aging.

Aging is the single most significant risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED), leading to structural modification of cavernous tissue and altering expression of vascular growth factors. The angiopoietin/Tie2 system has been recently considered as a potential target for therapy of vascular disorders, including ED. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyze expression of angiopoietin1 (Ang1), angiopoietin2 (Ang2), and their receptor Tie2 in corpus cavernosum (CC) of rat during aging (6, 12, 18, and 24 months). The expression of Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 was studied by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, followed by semiquantification after Western blotting. Both Ang1 and Ang2 were localized mainly in perivascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, while Tie2 was strictly detected at the vascular endothelium. A significant decrease in Ang2's expression was observed at 12 months when compared with 6-month-old rats, a tendency that reverses in older animals. No significant differences were demonstrated for Ang1 or Tie2, which is consistent with their constitutive expression in CC. The ratios Ang1/Tie2 and Ang2/Tie2 were also calculated and both decrease during aging, while no marked variation was observed for Ang1/Ang2. Our results suggest that the angiopoietin/Tie2 system participate in the vascular maintenance and remodeling of the CC during aging.