Figure 4
From: Angiogenesis in old-aged subjects after ischemic stroke: a cautionary note for investigators
VEGF and post-stroke angiogenesis in elderly subjects. Morphological and molecular changes lead to medial cerebral artery occulsion and similar states that give rise to full ischemic stroke. Both occulsion and outright stroke lead to stimulation of VEGF release by affected cells, which drives the expression of additional effector proteins, increases angiogenesis, promotes cell survival and neurogenesis, leading to recovery. Aging reduces the activation of certain responses, including HIF-1a and the ability of cells to respond to VEGF through downregulation of receptors, impairing repair and recovery.