Abstract
Deletion of the hypoxia-response element in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoter causes motor neuron degeneration in a mouse model. "At-risk" haplotypes with low circulating VEGF levels have been demonstrated in humans. Here the authors report low VEGF levels in the CSF of ALS patients during their first year of the disease, independently of VEGF promoter polymorphism. This finding early in ALS patients suggests a possible role for VEGF gene regulation in the pathogenesis of ALS.
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / blood
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid*
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / etiology
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Disease Progression
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Female
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Haplotypes
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Humans
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Hypoxia / etiology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
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Time Factors
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / blood
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / cerebrospinal fluid
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / deficiency*
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / physiology
Substances
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VEGFA protein, human
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A