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Vascular and Metabolic Responses to Elevated Circulating PDGF-BB in Mice: A Multiparametric MRI Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Elevated circulating platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) has been implicated in the development of various aged-related pathologies and is recognized as a potential pro-aging factor. Although numerous studies have explored the pathological roles of the PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ signaling pathway, few investigations have dissected its function in neurofunctional responses to elevated circulating PDGF-BB, primarily because in-vivo measurements are generally required to assess neurofunction. To address this knowledge gap, we characterized the vascular and metabolic responses to elevated circulating PDGF-BB in vivo using multiparametric non-invasive non-contrast MRI techniques in a conditional Pdgfb transgenic mouse model (PdgfbcTG) at 6 months of age. Results indicated that PdgfbcTG mice exhibited decreased cerebral blood flow (p = 0.025), elevated oxygen extraction (p = 0.002), and increased metabolic rate of oxygen (p = 0.035), mirroring the changes observed in human aging. The rate of change in vascular and metabolic measurements in the model mice was significantly higher (≥200.3%) compared to that of naturally aged mice. This study provides neurofunctional evidence that elevated circulating PDGF-BB accelerates neurovascular aging.

Source: Health and Metabolism

DOI: 10.53941/hm.2025.100009

Authors: Xiuli Yang, Jiekang Wang, Yuguo Li, Mei Wan, Zhiliang Wei

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute

Language: English

Topic: Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering