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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 293/2/H1131    most recent 01156.2006v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Glinskii, O. V. Articles by Glinsky, V. V. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Glinskii, O. V. Articles by Glinsky, V. V.

Microvascular network remodeling in dura mater of ovariectomized pigs: role for angiopoietin-1 in estrogen-dependent control of vascular stability

Departments of ¹Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, ²Biochemistry, ³Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, and ⁴National Center for Gender Physiology and Environmental Adaptation, University of Missouri; and ⁵Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, Missouri

Submitted 19 October 2006 ; accepted in final form 6 May 2007

Estrogen is a key regulator of vascular responses and angioadaptation in multiple organs and tissues, including brain. However, the consequences of a loss of ovarian steroid hormone secretion on the status of microvascular networks in brain and meninges are largely unknown. Here, using the perfused dura mater model coupled with high-resolution digital epifluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscopy and computer-assisted morphometric analysis, we demonstrate that cessation of ovarian hormone production causes dramatic vascular remodeling in meningeal microvascular networks characterized by a threefold decrease in microvessel density and capillary rarefaction and an almost fourfold increase in vascular permeability. These changes were accompanied by a significant decrease in angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) expression and Ang-1/Tie-2 ratio (1.4-fold, P < 0.01, and 1.5-fold, P < 0.05, respectively) in ovariectomized animals compared with intact females, but no changes were detected in the expression of estrogen receptors (ER)- and -. We conclude that estrogen-dependent control of Ang-1 expression plays an important role in stabilizing meningeal microvessel and maintaining healthy microvascular networks.

hormones; microcirculation; imaging