Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and receptor tyrosine kinases in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression is regulated by hypoxia and cytokines, including insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1. We examined the influence of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) on IGF-1, VEGF, fetal liver kinase (flk-1), fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (flt-1), and laminin using an isolated hemoperfused working porcine heart model of acute ischemia (2 h) and reperfusion (4 h). METHODS: Twenty-three porcine hearts were randomized into the following groups: five nonischemic control hearts (Group C), five I/R hearts with occlusion of the ramus circumflexus; three I/R hearts treated with quinaprilat, a potent angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (Group Q); five I/R hearts treated with angiotensin I (Group Ang I), and 5 I/R hearts treated with Ang I and quinaprilat (Group QA). RESULTS: Compared to C, VEGF mRNA and protein contents were significantly increased in I/R and Ang I hearts. flk-1 and flt-1 were increased in I/R (2.2-/1.95-fold) and further elevated by Ang I (3.2-/3.4-fold) compared with C. Quinaprilat application attenuated the amount of VEGF significantly and of flk-1 slightly but not that of flt-1. In contrast, IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) proteins were elevated in I/R hearts (3-/1.4-fold vs. C) and further increased in the presence of Q. These findings were accompanied by an elevation of laminin mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, we observed an increase in collagen Type IV and chondroitin sulfate content in I/R (2.9-/1.4-fold) and Ang I (3.5-/1.5-fold) hearts. Quinaprilat significantly reduced laminin and chondroitin sulfate proteins. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the VEGF/VEGF receptor and IGF-1-IGF-1R systems are activated by I/R. The benefits of ACE inhibition in attenuation of cardiac remodeling may be mediated by IGF-1.     

Exploitation of receptor tyrosine kinases by viral-encoded growth factors

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are essential components of cell communication pathways utilized from the embryonic to adult stages of life. These transmembrane receptors bind polypeptide ligands, such as growth factors, inducing signalling cascades that control cellular processes such as proliferation, survival, differentiation, motility and inflammation. Many viruses have acquired homologs of growth factors encoded by the hosts that they infect. Production of growth factors during infection allows viruses to exploit RTKs for entry and replication in cells, as well as for host and environmental dissemination. This review describes the genetic diversity amongst virus-derived growth factors and the mechanisms by which RTK exploitation enhances virus survival, then highlights how viral ligands can be used to further understanding of RTK signalling and function during embryogenesis, homeostasis and disease scenarios.     

Expression of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 in human traumatic brain injury and brain tumors

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are potent proinflammatory mediators. CysLT receptor 1 (CysLT(1)) is one of the two CysLT receptors that has been cloned. Although the expression of CysLT(1) in the brain has been demonstrated by Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses, the location of CysLT(1) in the brain remains unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the distribution of CysLT(1) by immunohistochemical analysis in human brains with traumatic injury or tumors. CysLT(1) was expressed intensely in the microvascular endothelial cells in both normal and abnormal conditions. At 8 days after traumatic injury, microvascular regeneration was found and all of the endothelial cells highly expressed CysLT(1). In gray and white matters of the normal regions of the brain, CysLT(1) was expressed weekly or not at all. However, the CysLT(1) expression increased in the neuron- and glial-appearing cells in gray and white matters after traumatic brain injury. CysLT(1) was also detected in astrocytoma, ganglioglioma and metastatic adenocarcinoma, and the expression in the neuron- and glial-appearing cells around brain tumors increased robustly.     

肾肿瘤中受体酪氨酸激酶RON的表达及意义

目的 探讨RON在肾肿瘤中的表达以及RON表达与肾肿瘤局部侵袭和分化程度的关系.方法 利用免疫组化法测定48例肾透明细胞癌、20例嫌色细胞癌、3例嗜酸性细胞腺瘤肿瘤组织RON表达.结果 RON在肾嫌色细胞癌中表达强度最高,透明细胞癌其次,而在嗜酸性细胞腺瘤中最低,但无统计学意义差异;透明细胞Fuhrman核分级3-4级阳性表达强度高于核分级1或2级(P<0.05);肿瘤直径>7 cm的RON表达强度大于<7 cm病例;RON在存在.肾盂侵袭的病例中有较高表达的趋势.结论 RON肾细胞癌的演进中可能起重要作用.     

Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in human brain metastases.

Biopsy specimens of human brain metastases were examined for amplification and expression of the proto-oncogene c-erbB1 (located on chromosome 7) encoding the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Moreover, the tumour DNA was also examined for amplification of other cancer-related genes on this chromosome: the proto-oncogene c-met, the gene for platelet-derived growth factor A-chain, and the gene for plasminogen activator inhibitory type 1. All 18 brain metastases demonstrated positive binding of biotinylated EGF on cryosections. Three out of 18 metastases had amplification of the EGFR gene; the other chromosome-7 genes tested were not amplified. Thus, an increased EGFR gene expression seems to be a general finding in a wide range of carcinomas metastatic to the brain, whereas we found only occasional selective EGFR gene amplifications in single cases.     

Expression of epidermal growth factors and epidermal growth factor receptor in normal cycling human ovaries

Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor- (TGF), epidermalgrowth factor (EGF), cripto-1, amphireg-ulin and epidermal growthfactor receptor (EGFR ) was studied in 51 premenopausal humanovaries at various phases of the menstrual cycle. Localizationof mRNA for TGF and EGF was also studied by in-situ hybridization.Immunoreactive TGF was observed predominantly in theca cellsin 12 of 33 antral follicles in the follicular phase (6/14 dominantfollicles, and 6/19 non-dominant) but not in any of the 18 folliclesin the luteal phase or in primordial and pre-antral follicles.TGF immunoreactivity was present predominantly in the luteinizedgranulosa cells in 13 of 15 corpora lutea in the luteal phase,which are considered to be active in steroidogenesis, but notin any of the regressed corpora lutea. Accumulation of TGF mRNAhybridization signal was observed only in the theca cells inthe follicles and luteinized theca cells in the ovaries thatwere immunohistochemically positive for TGF. EGFR immunoreactivitywas detected in 24 of 33 antral follicles in the follicularphase and in two of 18 follicles in the luteal phase but notin any of the corpora lutea. Immunoreactive EGF, cripto-1 andamphiregulin or EGF mRNA was not detected in any follicles,corpora lutea, or the stroma cells examined. These results indicatethat, of the epidermal growth factors examined in this study,TGF is locally synthesized in normal cycling human ovaries andTGF may be synthesized in theca cells and act on the granulosacells in a paracrine fashion through the EGFR in ovarian follicles. EGF family/human/immunohistochemistry/in-situ hybridization/ovary     

Clinical implications of coexpression of growth arrest-specific gene 6 and receptor tyrosine kinases Axl and Sky in human uterine leiomyoma

The expression of Gas6, the protein product of the growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6), a member of the vitamin K-dependent protein family, and the receptor tyrosine kinases Axl and Sky and their mRNAs in uterine leiomyoma and normal uterine myometrium tissues were investigated by competitive RT-PCR-Southern blot analysis using recombinant RNA and immuno histochemical analysis respectively. There was no significant difference between the histoscores and levels of Sky mRNA in uterine leiomyoma and normal uterine myometrium, although the levels of Gas6 and Axl mRNAs in uterine leiomyoma were significantly higher than in normal uterine myometrium in each case. It is suggested that Gas6 and Axl signal transduction is aberrantly stimulated in uterine leiomyoma, possibly related to its growth.     

Expression of nerve growth factor receptor in paraffin-embedded soft tissue tumors.

Identification of growth factors and receptors in mesenchymal tumors may be crucial to understanding of growth regulation in sarcomas. During an immunohistochemical study of the expression of growth factors and receptors in human soft tissue tumors (STT), only 1 antisera capable of working in paraffin-embedded tissue was noted. A detailed study of 141 STT was undertaken to determine the frequency of expression of nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-R), its specificity and sensitivity for neural tumors, and the effect of fixation on detection. In normal mesenchymal tissue, only nerve sheath and perivascular staining was seen. No immunoreactivity was seen in many tumors including rhabdomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma, liposarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and alveolar soft part sarcoma. Less than 15% of tumors of smooth muscle, fibrous, or fibrohistiocytic origin showed immunoreactivity, usually focal. In contrast, a high frequency of immunoreactivity was noted in tumors of neural origin (74%). This included granular cell tumors (100%), Schwannoma/neurofibroma (91%), malignant Schwannoma (78%), neuroblastoma/neuroepithelioma (60%), and paraganglioma (57%). A high rate of reactivity was also seen in synovial sarcomas (80%), undifferentiated sarcomas (60%), and hemangiopericytomas (43%), suggesting a potential relationship to the neural phenotype. Among the neural tumors, Bouin's fixation was superior to formalin, suggesting that immunoreactivity for NGF-R is affected by fixation. This antibody may be a useful adjunct marker diagnostically.     

Expression of GD2-epitopes in human intracranial tumors and normal brain.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mabs) were raised against ganglioside GD2 (Gtri2) and tested on human intracranial tumors and normal brain by immunohistochemical methods both in frozen and paraffin embedded sections. In normal brain structures, astrocytes were visualized with both mabs (BW 625 and BW 704) almost exclusively in the subventricular and subpial layer. A minor amount of myelin sheaths in well defined localisation was only recognized in frozen sections. Consequently in astrocytic tumors of different grades of malignancy (WHO I-IV), astrocytes were depicted in their characteristic shape and arrangement around vessels. In addition, staining was observed in meningiomas and schwannomas, but not in pituitary adenomas or metastatic carcinomas. In meningioma und schwannoma the staining was restricted to the cellular periphery and was again present in frozen section material and absent in paraffin embedded tissue. In astrocytes, reactive and neoplastic, obviously fibrous processes and cytoplasm were distinctly stained both in frozen and paraffin embedded sections. It is concluded that some neuroectodermal derived cells as well as myelin of defined localisation express GD2 on the membrane surfaces and in the cytoplasm. The latter may primarily be the case in fibrous astrocytes, which were stained in reactive and pathologic conditions. The reaction can be used as diagnostic tool in astrocytic tumors; its positive therapeutic significance is hampered by the fact that (1) not all cells in heterogeneous tumor populations express the epitope and (2) there are normal structures which do so.     

Expression of the HER1-4 family of receptor tyrosine kinases in breast cancer

EGFr/HER1 and c-erbB-2/HER2 expression are associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. The type I receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family to which they belong has four members (HER1-4). In this study, expression of HER1-4 and oestrogen receptor (ER) expression were determined by immunohistochemistry in 220 breast carcinomas. Elevated expression of HER1 was observed in 16.4%, HER2 in 22.8%, HER3 in 17.5%, and HER4 in 11.9% of these tumours. Patients whose tumours overexpressed HER1, 2 or 3 had reduced survival (p= <0.001), whereas those whose tumours overexpressed HER4 had increased survival (p=0.013); 38.6% of cases overexpressed one or more of HER1, 2 or 3. HER4 was rarely overexpressed with other HERs (1.4% of cases). Cox's multiple regression analysis demonstrated that overexpression of HER1/2/3, HER4, and standard prognostic indicators independently affected survival. HER1-3 expression was related to ER negativity (p<0.0001, chi2). Patients with ER-positive, HER1-3-positive tumours had a significantly poorer survival (p<0.001) than those with ER-positive/HER-negative or HER4-positive tumours. Expression of HER RTKs displays complex interactions between different family members. There is a strong interaction, in terms of survival, between HER expression and ER expression. The development of HER-targeted agents (eg Herceptin, Iressa), and agents targeted at the downstream signalling pathways, therefore provides new possibilities in the treatment of breast cancer.     

Neutralizing antibodies against epidermal growth factor and ErbB-2/neu receptor tyrosine kinases down-regulate vascular endothelial growth factor production by tumor cells in vitro and in vivo: angiogenic implications for signal transduction therapy of solid tumors.

The overexpression in tumor cells of (proto)-oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or ErbB2/neu (also known as HER-2) is generally thought to contribute to the development of solid tumors primarily through their effects on promoting uncontrolled cell proliferation. However, agents that antagonize the function of the protein products encoded by these (proto)-oncogenes are known to behave in vivo in a cytotoxic-like manner. This implies that such oncogenes may regulate critical cell survival functions, including angiogenesis. The latter could occur as a consequence of regulation of relevant growth factors by such oncogenes. We therefore sought to determine whether EGFR or ErbB2/neu may contribute to tumor angiogenesis by examining their effects on the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)/vascular permeability factor (VPF), one of the most important of all known inducers of tumor angiogenesis. We found that in vitro treatment of EGFR-positive A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells, which are known to be heavily dependent on VEGF/VPF in vivo as an angiogenesis growth factor, with the C225 anti-EGFR neutralizing antibody caused a dose-dependent inhibition of VEGF protein expression. Prominent suppression of VEGF/VPF expression in vivo, as well as a significant reduction in tumor blood vessel counts, were also observed in established A431 tumors shortly after injection of the antibody as few as four times into nude mice. Transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts with mutant ErbB2/neu, another EGFR-like oncogenic tyrosine kinase, resulted in a significant induction of VEGF/VPF, and the magnitude of this effect was further elevated by hypoxia. Moreover, treatment of ErbB2/neu-positive SKBR-3 human breast cancer cells in vitro with a specific neutralizing anti-ErbB2/neu monoclonal antibody (4D5) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of VEGF/VPF protein expression. Taken together, the results suggest that oncogenic properties of EGFR and ErbB2/neu may, at least in part, be mediated by stimulation of tumor angiogenesis by up-regulating potent angiogenesis growth factors such as VEGF/VPF. These genetic changes may cooperate with epigenetic/environmental effects such as hypoxia to maximally stimulate VEGF/VPF expression. Therapeutic disruption of EGFR or ErbB2/neu protein function in vivo may therefore result in partial suppression of angiogenesis, a feature that could enhance the therapeutic index of such agents in vivo and endow them with anti-tumor effects, the magnitude of which may be out of proportion with their observed cytostatic effects in monolayer tissue culture.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and its receptor in osteosarcomas

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and its receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), have been implicated as important factors in the formation of lymphatic vessels, but its role in osteosarcomas has not yet been fully investigated. This study aims to define the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in primary and metastatic osteosarcomas and their relationship to various clinicopathologic parameters. Thirty-three primary osteosarcomas and two pulmonary metastatic samples were immunostained for VEGF-C and VEGFR-3. In addition, VEGF-C and vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) mRNA expression levels in three different human osteosarcoma cell lines and control fibroblasts were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 were expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Of the 35 patients with osteosarcoma, 16 patients (45.7%) showed strong positive reaction with VEGF-C. Four cases (11.4%) were negative, and 15 cases (42.9%) showed weak immunoreactivity. For VEGFR-3, 12 patients (34.3%) showed strong positive reaction. Fifteen cases (42.9%) were negative, and eight cases (22.8%) showed weak immunoreactivity. A significant, positive correlation (Rs=0.42, p=0.01) was found between the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in osteosarcomas. The expression of VEGF-C was significantly associated with the osteoblastic subtype and high histologic grade in osteosarcomas. However, the expression of VEGF-C showed no significant correlation with the presence of metastasis. Expression of VEGFR-3 was not related to any clinicopathologic features analyzed. Two of the three osteosarcoma cell lines tested showed amplification of VEGF-C mRNA compared with control cells. No amplification of VEGF-D was noted in these cell lines. Our data suggest that VEGF-C and its receptor are expressed in osteosarcomas. Although the level of VEGF-C was high, it does not seem to have a direct influence on tumor metastasis in osteosarcomas.     

Ligand-binding sites in Ig-like domains of receptor tyrosine kinases

Receptor tyrosine kinases are cell-bound, membrane-spanning receptors that transduce growth factor dependent signals to the intracellular environment. Their catalytic cytoplasmic domains share a high level of sequence similarity, but their extracellular portions usually have a highly variable, multiple-domain structure. In a growing number of cases immunoglobulin-like domains contained within the extracellular portion have been shown to contain the ligand-binding site. In recent years experimental three-dimensional structures have been determined for some of these domains, free or in complex with their ligand. Here we review current structural information on these immunoglobulin-like domains and the growth factors that bind to them, with an emphasis on the vascular endothelial growth factor, nerve growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor systems.     

血管内皮生长因子受体在膀胱癌中的表达及临床意义

目的：探讨血管内皮生长因子受体在膀胱癌中的表达及与临床病理因素的相关性。方法：免疫组化法采用链霉菌抗生物素一过氧化物酶连接法(SP法)对50例膀胱癌标本，20例正常膀胱组织标本中血管内皮生长因子受体的表达进行检测。结果：血管内皮生长因子受体在大多数膀胱癌组织中表达(74％)，而且其表达水平与病理分期及组织分级呈正相关。在正常膀胱组织中无1例表达(0％)。结论：膀胱癌组织中血管内皮生长因子受体阳性表达，提示其在膀胱癌的血管生成中起着重要作用。     

Coexpression of growth arrest-specific gene 6 and receptor tyrosine kinases,Axl and Sky,in human uterine endometrium and ovarian endometriosis

We demonstrated the expression of Gas6, the protein product of the growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6) and a member of the vitamin K-dependent protein family, and its receptor tyrosine kinases, Axl and Sky, in human uterine and ovarian endometriotic endometria using RT-PCR-Southern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Gas6, Axl and Sky mRNA were detected in all samples analysed. There was no significant difference between the levels of Sky mRNA in normal uterine and endometriotic endometria; however, the levels of Gas6 and Axl mRNA in endometriotic endometria were significantly higher than in normal endometria. These mRNA levels showed no significant alteration during the menstrual cycle. In the immunohistochemical study, Gas6, Axl and Sky were found in endometrial glandular cells and stromal cells in all samples analysed. This study demonstrates the coexpression of receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligand, Gas6, in normal uterine and ovarian endometriotic endometria, and the overexpression of Axl and Gas6 in endometriotic endometria. It is suggested that Gas6 and Axl signal transduction is aberrantly stimulated in endometriotic endometria, and is plausibly related to its growth potential.     

人血管内皮生长因子在毕赤酵母菌中的表达和鉴定

目的 研究人血管内皮生长因子（ｈＶＥＧＦ１６５）基因在Ｐｉｃｈｉａ．ｐａｓｔｏｒｉｓ酵母中的表达,获得高效表达的具有生物学活性的重组ＶＥＧＦ１６５。方法 采用聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）扩增ｈＶＥＧＦ１６５基因,经ＤＮＡ序列分析后,插入含ＡＯＸ１启动子和α分泌信号肽序列的Ｐｉｃｈｉａ．ｐａｓｔｏｒｉｓ酵母载体中,构建重组表达质粒ｐＰＩＣ９Ｋ／ｈＶＥＧＦ１６５,转化酵母宿主菌ＫＭ７１,筛选多拷贝整合转化子,摇瓶培养,１％甲醇诱导表达。结果 ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ分析显示,诱导４ｄ的培养上清中ｈＶＥＧＦ１６５表达量达上清总蛋白的３０％以上。ＥＬＩＳＡ及Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ实验表明,表达产物具有良好的抗原性和特异性。生物学活性检测证实其具有刺激ＨＵＶＥＣ增殖的功能。结论 在Ｐｉｃｈｉａ．ｐａｓｔｏｒｉｓ表达系统中实现了ｈＶＥ