Reduced NGF in gastric endothelial cells is one of the main causes of impaired angiogenesis in aging gastric mucosa

This study detected reduced nerve growth factor (NGF) expression within gastric endothelial cells in both elderly patients and aged rats. Reduced NGF correlated with impaired angiogenesis and delayed gastric ulcer healing in aged rats. The defects could be reversed by exogenous NGF via phosphoinositide-3 kinase/serine threonine kinase signaling protein, and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, and was dependent on serum response factor. These data show that down-regulation of endothelial NGF expression in aging is a significant contributor to impaired gastric mucosal repair.