Vascular endothelial cells synthesize and secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an abundant neurotrophin in brain and peripheral nerves, where it affects neural development, survival and repair after injury. BDNF has been detected in rat and human blood, but the source of circulating BDNF is not established. BDNF messenger and peptide were detected in cultured cells and in the culture medium of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The expression of BDNF was up-regulated by elevation of intracellular cAMP and down-regulated by Ca 2+ ionophore, bovine brain extract and laminar fluid shear stress. These results suggest that vascular endothelial cells may contribute to circulating BDNF.