Nitric Oxide in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Induced Focal Angiogenesis and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activity in the Mouse Brain

Abstract

Inhibition of nitric oxide production decreased MMP-9 activity and focal angiogenesis in the VEGF-stimulated brain. Both specific and nonspecific inhibition of nitric oxide synthase resulted in similar reductions, suggesting that VEGF-stimulated cerebral MMP activity and angiogenesis are predominantly mediated through inducible nitric oxide synthase, a specific nitric oxide synthase isoform mediating inflammatory responses.