BDNF expression of macrophages and angiogenesis after myocardial infarction

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB are expressed in the endothelial cell lining coronary arteries [ [1] Kermani P. Hempstead B. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor: a newly described mediator of angiogenesis. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2007; 17: 140-143 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (242) Google Scholar ], and are known to be associated with the development of capillaries in heart tissue during the late gestation period. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that BDNF−/− mice exhibit impaired endothelial cell survival in coronary arteries and capillaries, whereas BDNF overexpression in heart tissues increases capillary density [ [2] Donovan M.J. Lin M.I. Wiegn P. et al. Brain derived neurotrophic factor is an endothelial cell survival factor required for intramyocardial vessel stabilization. Development. 2000; 127: 4531-4540 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar ]. Other studies have shown that the exogenous delivery of BDNF to the ischemic heart improves angiogenesis and left ventricular function [ 3 Liu Y. Sun L. Huan Y. Zhao H. Deng J. Application of bFGF and BDNF to improve angiogenesis and cardiac function. J Surg Res. 2006; 136: 85-91 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (52) Google Scholar , 4 Okada S. Yokoyama M. Toko H. et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects against cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction via a central nervous system-mediated pathway. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2012; 32: 1902-1909 Crossref PubMed Scopus (101) Google Scholar ]. BDNF concentration was found to be increased in blood after MI [ 4 Okada S. Yokoyama M. Toko H. et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects against cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction via a central nervous system-mediated pathway. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2012; 32: 1902-1909 Crossref PubMed Scopus (101) Google Scholar , 5 Lorgis L. Amoueux S. de Maistre E. et al. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and platelet activation evaluated by soluble P-selectin and soluble CD-40-ligand in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2010; 24: 525-530 Crossref PubMed Scopus (27) Google Scholar ], but the source of this BDNF was not determined in the heart.