Differential expression of bFGF in brain and cardiac capillary endothelial cells

Endothelial cells (EC) from different vascular beds display common characteristics, but are also quite heterogeneous in terms of expression and secretion of neuro-angiogenic factors, which may help explain some of their distinct physiological roles. We investigated gene expression and neurotropic activity of bFGF and NGF using EC isolated from cerebral and myocardial capillaries. bFGF was expressed by the brain but not heart EC, while NGF was expressed by both cell types. Brain and heart ECs respond to both NGF and bFGF by enhanced proliferation and migration. We propose that the increased expression of bFGF in the brain EC reflects an increased local demand of the brain microcapillary microenvironment for bFGF, in addition to that supplied systemically by the circulation, which may be necessary for a proper tissue-specific function.