Objective: To evaluate the differences in serum concentrations of neurovascular unit (NVU)-related cytokines between patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and control subjects (Ctr) and to analyze their relevance to clinical information in the PD group.

Background: Neurons and vascular cells form a functionally integrated network, collectively referred to as the NVU. Cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play a key role in the NVU not only to mediate neuronal survival but also to maintain vascular homeostasis and promote angiogenesis. Disruption of NVU has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of PD.

Method: Multiplex immunoassay was used to measure serum NVU-related cytokines as follows: ENDOGLIN, FGF-2, FOLLISTATIN, HB-EGF, PLGF, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D. Group differences were compared using Student’s t-test for continuous variables and Pearson’s chi-squared test for categorical variables. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis (MRA) with forced entry method were used to analyze the relationship between cytokines and clinical symptoms in the PD group. Variables were included age at onset, sex, disease duration, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Factors significantly associated with cytokines detected by MRA were corrected by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and differences between groups were compared again.

Results: We recruited 51 PD (28 males, mean age 67.4±9.8 years) and 52 Ctr (24 males, mean age 65.3±9.9 years). Serum VEGF-C was significantly higher in the PD group than in the Ctr group (p < 0.001), but the other seven cytokines were not significantly different between groups. Univariate analysis showed no significant factors, but multiple regression analysis indicated that disease duration was a significant factor related to VEGF-C (p = 0.02). After adjustment for disease duration using ANCOVA, the PD group was associated with significantly higher serum levels of VEGF-C compared to the Ctr group (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that MMSE was associated with ENDGLIN (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Serum VEGF-C was significantly higher in the PD group than in the Ctr group and ENDGLIN was associated with MMSE in the PD group. These findings may provide a new insight into the NVU effect on pathophysiology of PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/serum-levels-of-vegf-c-and-endglin-in-parkinsons-disease-and-their-clinical-relevance/