| First Author | Aase K | Year | 2001 |
| Journal | Circulation | Volume | 104 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 358-64 |
| PubMed ID | 11457758 | Mgi Jnum | J:103156 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3608567 | Doi | 10.1161/01.cir.104.3.358 |
| Citation | Aase K, et al. (2001) Vascular endothelial growth factor-B-deficient mice display an atrial conduction defect. Circulation 104(3):358-64 |
| abstractText | BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors are essential regulators of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in both embryos and adults. One of the factors with a still unknown physiological function is VEGF-B, which is expressed in many tissues, including the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice carrying a targeted deletion in the VEGF-B gene were developed. In VEGF-B(-/-) animals, no gross abnormalities were observed in organs that normally show high expression of VEGF-B, such as the heart, muscle, and kidney. Analysis of heart function by ECG showed that adult VEGF-B(-/-) mice have an atrial conduction abnormality characterized by a prolonged PQ interval. VEGF- or basic fibroblast growth factor-induced corneal angiogenesis was similar in normal and VEGF-B(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF-B seems to be required for normal heart function in adult animals but is not required for proper development of the cardiovascular system either during development or for angiogenesis in adults. |
