Evaluation of the expression of Pigment Epitelium Derived Factor (PEDF), an anti-angiogenic and neurotrophic protein, in a hypoxia model

• Grant number: 11/15960-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: November 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Neuropsychopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Jair Ribeiro Chagas
• Grantee: Guilherme Silva Julian
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pigment-Epitelium Derived Factor (PEDF) is a member of the family of the non-inhibitory serpins, distributed in almost all tissues, including CNS, where is largely expressed. Comparatively, PEDF has been described as highly active in the Central Nervous System (CNS) acting as antiangiogenic, anti-vasopermeability, neurotrophic and neuroprotector factor. Hypoxia is a pathological condition, characterized by decrease of oxygen to levels inferior than needed to a correct cellular functioning. Hypoxia is present in many diseases, including Obstructive Sleep Apnea and some respiratory diseases. The consequences of hypoxia are largely variable, including since complications in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, until complications in the CNS, among many others. The consequences of hypoxia on PEDF expression and activity, in the CNS are still unknown. A model of animal to study the consequences of hypoxia is a model of intermittent hypoxia (IH) in Wistar male rats. The animals will be submitted to IH in cycles of 3 minutes of 21% to 5% of O2, from 9 to 17h, during six weeks. The expression of PEDF will be measured by RT-PCR, Immunohistochemistry and Immunnoblotting, using a control group submitted to the same conditions, but without hypoxia.