Journal
GLIA
Volume 64, Issue 3, Pages 440-456Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/glia.22939
Keywords
extracellular matrix; fibrillar adhesion; fibronectin; growth factor signaling
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Funding
- Swiss National Foundation [31003A_140940/1]
- Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) [31003A_140940] Funding Source: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)
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The spatial organization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling is a key determinant of vascular patterning during development and tissue repair. How VEGF signaling becomes spatially restricted and the role of VEGF secreting astrocytes in this process remains poorly understood. Using a VEGF-GFP fusion protein and confocal time-lapse microscopy, we observed the intracellular routing, secretion and immobilization of VEGF in scratch-activated living astrocytes. We found VEGF to be directly transported to cell-extracellular matrix attachments where it is incorporated into fibronectin fibrils. VEGF accumulated at 1 integrin containing fibrillar adhesions and was translocated along the cell surface prior to internalization and degradation. We also found that only the astrocyte-derived, matrix-bound, and not soluble VEGF decreases 1 integrin turnover in fibrillar adhesions. We suggest that polarized VEGF release and ECM remodeling by VEGF secreting cells is key to control the local concentration and signaling of VEGF. Our findings highlight the importance of astrocytes in directing VEGF functions and identify these mechanisms as promising target for angiogenic approaches. GLIA 2016;64:440-456
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