The role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis : a transcriptomic approach

Recent evidence suggests that the angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has a role in determining the survival of motor neurones. VEGF has a pivotal function in the growth of coordinated vascular and neuronal networks in the developing embryo, and promotes the survival of neurones in vitro. Transgenic (VEGFδ/δ) mice which lack a hypoxia-responsive regulatory element in the VEGF gene express low levels of this neurotrophic factor in neural tissue, and develop adult-onset degeneration of motor neurones, which resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).