Antibody neutralization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) fails to attenuate vascular permeability and brain edema in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

Abstract

To determine the contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to cerebral edema formation in bacterial meningitis, we used a VEGF neutralizing antibody to block VEGF in rabbits, following induction of meningitis by intracisternal inoculation with 10(9) heat-killed pneumococci. At 8 h, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) VEGF was significantly elevated in infected untreated animals, and correlated with CSF white blood cell (WBC) count (r=0.56, P=0.004), and brain water content (r=0.42, P=0.04). Blocking of VEGF did not attenuate brain edema, blood-brain barrier disruption, or CSF pleocytosis. The functional role of VEGF in the pathophysiology of BM remains elusive.

• Authors: M van der Flier, F E Coenjaerts, P N Mwinzi, E Rijkers, M Ruyken, J Scharringa, J L L Kimpen, A I M Hoepelman, S P M Geelen
• Journal: Journal of neuroimmunology (J Neuroimmunol) Vol. 160 Issue 1-2 Pg. 170-7 (Mar 2005) ISSN: 0165-5728 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15710470 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Blocking
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Bevacizumab

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Blocking (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Bevacizumab
• Brain Edema (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, immunology, physiopathology)
• Capillary Permeability (immunology)
• Cell Movement (immunology)
• Cisterna Magna
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Leukocytes (immunology, pathology)
• Meningitis, Pneumococcal (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, immunology, physiopathology)
• Mice
• Rabbits
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (antagonists & inhibitors, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, immunology)
• Water-Electrolyte Balance