The neurotrophic and antidepressant actions of BDNF and VEGF require interactive signaling
Proceedings for Annual Meeting of The Japanese Pharmacological Society January 1, 2018 Satoshi Deyama, Eunyoung Baing, T. Kato et al.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) work together to produce antidepressant effects. In cultured cortical neurons, BDNF stimulates VEGF release and VEGF stimulates BDNF release. BDNF increases dendritic complexity, but this effect is blocked by inhibiting the VEGF receptor Flk-1; similarly, VEGF's effect on dendrites is blocked by inhibiting the BDNF receptor TrkB. A single infusion of either BDNF or VEGF into the mPFC of mice produces antidepressant effects lasting at least 5 days in three behavioral tests. These effects are blocked by neutralizing the other factor, indicating that mutual signaling between BDNF and VEGF is required for rapid and sustained antidepressant responses.