Suppressed Expression of Autophagosomal Protein LC3 in Cortical Tubers of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is characterized by benign tumors and hamartomas, including cortical tubers. Hamartin and tuberin, encoded by the TSC 1 and 2 genes, respectively, constitute a functional complex that negatively regulates the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, eventually promoting the induction of autophagy. In the present study, we assessed the induction of autophagy in cortical tubers surgically removed from seven patients with TSC in comparison with five controls of cortical tissue taken from non‐TSC patients with epilepsy. Immunoblotting demonstrated a marked reduction of LC3B‐I and LC3B‐II in tubers relative to the controls. In tubers, strong, diffuse and dot‐like immunoreactivity (IR) for LC3B was observed in dysmorphic neurons and balloon cells, but LC3B‐IR in other neurons with normal morphology was significantly weaker than that in neurons in the controls. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed diffuse distribution of LC3B‐IR within the cytoplasm of balloon cells. The dot‐like pattern may correspond to abnormal aggregation bodies involving LC3. In an autopsy patient with TSC, we observed that LC3B‐IR in neurons located outside of the tubers was preserved. Thus, autophagy is suppressed in tubers presumably through the mTOR pathway, and possibly a pathological autophagy reaction occurs in the dysmorphic neurons and balloon cells.     

Immunohistochemical Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor in Canine Cutaneous Fibrosarcomas

The expression of five markers associated with tumour angiogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis was studied in 24 canine cutaneous fibrosarcomas. Tumours were assigned histological grades and were immunohistochemically evaluated for the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Additionally, intra-tumour microvessel density (iMVD) was assessed by immunohistochemical labelling for expression of von Willebrand factor (vWf) and tumour proliferation index (PI) was measured following labelling of Ki-67 antigen. Finally, tumour apoptotic index (AI) was determined by application of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP end-labelling method (TUNEL). VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression were detected in 22/24 (92%) and 24/24 (100%) of fibrosarcomas, respectively. There was correlation between VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression (r = 0.51) and between histological grade and PI (r = 0.82). A significant difference in PI between tumours of different histological grade was found (P < 0.05). The median PI in grade 2 and 3 tumours (30.6 and 54.7, respectively) was significantly higher than in grade 1 tumours (6.4). Therefore, only PI correlates significantly with the histological grade of canine cutaneous fibrosarcomas. The potential for autocrine activity for VEGF exists in canine cutaneous fibrosarcomas, as VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression was found in most tumours.     

血管内皮生长因子C促进HeLa宫颈癌细胞粘着斑激酶活性的研究

目的探讨粘着斑激酶（focal adhesion kinase,FAK）介导血管内皮细胞生长因子C（vascular endothelial growth factor C,VEGF—C）促宫颈癌恶性进展的作用。方法提取不同病理分期的宫颈癌组织标本蛋白．采用Western-blot检测VEGF．C及FAK蛋白的表达情况。在体外培养宫颈癌细胞株HeLa细胞,采用Western—blot测定VEGF—C对FAK蛋白的表达和磷酸化的调控作用。结果随着宫颈癌恶性程度的增高,VEGF-C、FAK蛋白及磷酸化FAK蛋白表达水平均随之增加。与正常宫颈组织比较,宫颈原位癌（CIN）组织中VEGF．C、FAK、磷酸化FAK蛋白表达分别增加了（48±10）％、（78±14）％、（83±15）％,P〈0．05;宫颈鳞癌Ⅰ期各蛋白增高幅度分别为（104±22）％、（121±28）％、（143±30）％（P〈0．01）;宫颈鳞癌Ⅱ期（未放疗、化疗）各蛋白表达增高更为显著,其幅度分别为（195±28）％、（186±22）％、（204±31）％,P〈0．001。在培养的宫颈癌细胞株HeLa细胞上,VEGF—C（100μg／L）处理24h后,可显著增高FAK蛋白、磷酸化FAK蛋白的表达,该作用可被VEGF—C单克隆抗体明显抑制。结论VEGF—C、FAK蛋白表达与宫颈癌恶性程度密切相关,VEGF—C可能通过上调FAK表扶殛苴磷酪化水平而但讲宫颈癌的熏忡讲犀     

Lymphangiogenesis and Prognostic Significance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C in Gastro‐oesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C) is a crucial regulator of the development of lymphatic vessels and is involved in the lymph node metastasis of cancer. The levels of VEGF‐C expression and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in 128 gastro‐oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJA) tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry and analysed for their association with clinicopathological features and disease‐free survival. We found that 75.0% of tumour samples displayed strong immunoreactivity to VEGF‐C. The levels of VEGF‐C expression in the tumour tissues were associated with the stages of the clinical tumours and the lymph node metastasis status, but not with the age, gender and the size and type of tumours in the cohort. Similarly, LVD, as evaluated by anti‐D2‐40 staining, was also associated with the clinical stages of GEJA. The values of LVD were positively correlated with the levels of VEGF‐C expression in these samples (r = 0.3760, P = 0.0001). High levels of VEGF‐C expression and high values of LVD were associated with shorter periods of disease‐free survival (DFS) in patients with GEJA (P < 0.001). In addition, GEJA at N1 and N2 stages, at T4 stage, chemotherapy after surgery, high levels of VEGF‐C expression and lower marginal resection were independent factors for the prognosis of DFS in patients with GEJA. Our data indicate that VEGF‐C may promote the lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis of GEJA and that VEGF‐C may be a valuable biomarker for the diagnosis of lymphatic metastasis and a prognostic factor of the survival of patients with GEJA.     

可溶性血管内皮生长因子受体1真核克隆表达及其对血管内皮细胞增殖的影响

本研究旨在构建可溶性血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)受体1(soluble fmslike tyosine kinase-1,sFlt-1)的真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1-sFlt-1,并观察sFlt-1对血管内皮细胞增殖的影响。提取人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs)总RNA,扩增Flt-1基因胞外1-3结构域,构建真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1-sFlt-1,测序鉴定基因序列。将重组质粒转染Lewis肺癌细胞,采用RT-PCR和SDS-PAGE检测sFlt-1在基因及蛋白水平的表达情况。MTT法检测sFlt-1对VEGF诱导的HUVECs生长的影响。结果显示:①插入片段序列正确;②sFlt-1在基因水平成功表达且转染后的Lewis肺癌细胞能分泌表达sFlt-1;③含sFlt-1的细胞上清液可明显抑制VEGF诱导的HUVECs增殖。本研究成功构建了真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1-sFlt-1,sFlt-1,在基因和蛋白水平均获得有效表达,且表达的蛋白可明显抑制由VEGF诱导...     

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase‐9 mRNA and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Protein in Gastric Carcinoma and Its Relationship to Its Pathological Features and Prognosis

To investigate matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression in gastric carcinoma and its correlation with microvascular density, growth‐pattern, invasion, metastasis, and prognosis. In situ hybridization of MMP‐9 mRNA and immunohistochemistry of VEGF and CD34 proteins were performed on surgical specimens of gastric cancers from 118 patients compared with 20 nonmalignant gastric mucosae. Their relationships to pathological parameters and survival times were determined by statistical analysis. The positive rate of MMP‐9 in noncancerous gastric mucosae was significantly lower than that of gastric cancer tissue (60.17%, P < 0.01). In patients with cancers of the infiltrating type, at stage T3‐T4, with vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic, or peritoneal metastasis, the positive expression rates of MMP‐9 mRNA, VEGF protein, and CD34 were significantly higher than those for patients with tumors of the expanding type (P < 0.01), at stage T1–T2 (P < 0.01), with nonvessel invasion (P < 0.05), without lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.05), and without hepatic (P < 0.001) or peritoneal metastasis (P < 0.001), respectively. Expression of MMP‐9 mRNA was positively related to that of VEGF protein (P < 0.001) and microvascular density (P < 0.001). Patients with higher MMP‐9 mRNA and VEGF expression demonstrated vivid tumor angiogenesis and poor 5‐year survival rate. MMP‐9 and VEGF expression is associated with enhanced tumor angiogenesis and may play crucial roles in the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. Therefore, MMP‐9 and VEGF may represent prognostic biomarkers and promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Anat Rec, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Functional assessment of variants in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes identified in individuals with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

The effects of missense changes and small in-frame deletions and insertions on protein function are not easy to predict, and the identification of such variants in individuals at risk of a genetic disease can complicate genetic counselling. One option is to perform functional tests to assess whether the variants affect protein function. We have used this strategy to characterize variants identified in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes in individuals with, or suspected of having, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). Here we present an overview of our functional studies on 45 TSC1 and 107 TSC2 variants. Using a standardized protocol we classified 16 TSC1 variants and 70 TSC2 variants as pathogenic. In addition we identified eight putative splice site mutations (five TSC1 and three TSC2). The remaining 24 TSC1 and 34 TSC2 variants were classified as probably neutral.     

VEGF在翼状胬肉发病与复发中的作用

目的：探讨血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）在翼状胬肉发病与复发中的作用。方法：采用免疫组织化学方法检测42例初发与30例复发翼状胬肉标本中VEGF的表达情况,并与30例正常对照组比较。结果：VEGF表达阳性率：对照组为6.7%（2/30）,初发组为61.9%（26/42）,复发组为93.3%（28/30）,对照组低于初发组（P〈0.01）,初发组低于复发组（P〈0.05）。VEGF表达强阳性率：对照组为0%（0/30）,初发组为26.2%（11/42）,复发组为63.3%（19/30）,对照组低于初发组（P〈0.01）,初发组低于复发组（P〈0.01）。结论：VEGF的高水平表达是翼状胬肉发病与复发的重要原因。     

Impaired Cytoplasmic–Nuclear Transport of Hypoxia‐Inducible Factor‐1α in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

We investigated the mechanisms underlying abnormal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We immunohistochemically studied VEGF, its receptors VEGFR1 and 2, and hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) in autopsied ALS spinal cords. We also chronologically assessed the expression of HIF‐1α, karyopherin β1, karyopherin β‐cargo protein complex inhibitors and nuclear pore complex proteins in G93A mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (mSOD1) transgenic mice at presymptomatic, symptomatic and end stages. In ALS patients, compared with controls, HIF‐1α immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of anterior horn cells (AHCs) was significantly increased, while immunoreactivities for VEGF and VEGFRs were significantly decreased. Similar changes in HIF‐1α and VEGF levels were observed in mSOD1 transgenic mice. HIF‐1α co‐localized with karyopherin β1 in the cytoplasm of AHCs and karyopherin β1 co‐localized with nucleoporin 62 (Nup62) on the nuclear envelope. From the presymptomatic stage of mSOD1 transgenic mice, karyopherin β1 immunoreactivity in AHC nuclei significantly decreased and morphological irregularities of the Nup62‐immunostained nuclear envelope became more pronounced with disease progression. Thus, in AHCs from mSOD1 transgenic mice, transport of cytoplasmic HIF‐1α to the nuclear envelope and into the nucleus is impaired from the presymptomatic stage, suggesting that impaired cytoplasmic–nuclear transport of HIF‐1α through the nuclear pore might precede motor neuron degeneration.     

Resveratrol Inhibits Hypoxia-Induced Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression and Pathological Neovascularization

Purpose

To investigate the effects of resveratrol on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells, and on experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice.

Materials and Methods

ARPE-19 cells were treated with different concentrations of resveratrol and then incubated under hypoxic conditions with subsequent evaluation of cell viability, expression of HIF-1α, and expression of VEGF. The effects of resveratrol on the synthesis and degradation of hypoxia-induced HIF-1α were evaluated using inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and the ubiquitin proteasome pathways. In animal studies, CNV lesions were induced in C57BL/6 mice by laser photocoagulation. After 7 days of oral administration of resveratrol or vehicle, which began one day after CNV induction, image analysis was used to measure CNV areas on choroidal flat mounts stained with isolectin IB4.

Results

In ARPE-19 cells, resveratrol significantly inhibited HIF-1α and VEGF in a dose-dependent manner, by blocking the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and by promoting proteasomal HIF-1α degradation. In mice experiments, orally administered resveratrol significantly inhibited CNV growth in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion

Resveratrol may have therapeutic value in the management of diseases involving pathological neovascularization.     

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor during Neoangiogenesis Stimulated by Exposure to High-Intensity Laser Radiation

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was studied during neoangiogenesis stimulated by exposure of ischemic tissues in the limb muscles, liver, and myocardium and normal myocardial tissue to high-intensity laser radiation. Changes in expression were related to cell reactions during the inflammatory and reparative process and did not differ in the studied tissues.     

环氧化酶-2及血管内皮生长因子在宫颈癌及其癌前病变中的表达

目的探讨环氧化酶-2（cyclooxygenenase-2,COX-2）的表达与宫颈癌发生的关系以及COX-2与血管内皮生长因子vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）表达的关系。方法采用免疫组化（S-P）法检测20例正常宫颈、26例低度宫颈上皮内瘤变（cervical intraepithelial neoplasia,CIN;CIN Ⅰ）、28例高度CIN（CIN Ⅱ／Ⅲ）、25例宫颈癌组织中COX-2、血管内皮生长因子vascular endothelial growth faclor,VEGF）的表达,并分析COX-2与VEGF及高危HPV感染的关系。结果在正常宫颈、低度CIN、高度CIN、宫颈癌中COX-2的表达率分别为0、23．08％、57．14％、84％,VEGF的表达率分别为5％、30．77％、60．71％、88％,两者均随着病变的加重表达率明显增加,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．001）。COX-2表达与VEGF呈显著正相关（P=0．001）。人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）在低度CIN、高度CIN及宫颈癌的感染率分别为30．77％、71．43％、100％,在宫颈癌及其癌前病变中,COX-2与高危HPV感染率呈正相关（P=0．021）。结论COX-2与宫颈癌的发生、发展有关,并可能与肿瘤的血管生成有密切的关系。COX-2可能成为宫颈癌早期防治的靶点。     

Vascular endothelial growth factor A and C gene expression in endometriosis

Angiogenesis is essential for the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Gene expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and C in 10 eutopic endometrial, 23 normal peritoneal, and 62 endometriotic tissues surgically obtained from 47 women with endometriosis (group 2) were compared with those in 12 control eutopic endometrial and 9 normal peritoneal tissues from 15 women without endometriosis (group 1). VEGF-A mRNA expression levels in eutopic endometrium of group 2 were higher than those of group 1 throughout the menstrual cycle (P <0.01) and increased in the secretory phase. VEGF-A gene expression in peritoneal endometriotic lesion was statistically higher than that in normal peritoneum (P <0.01) and similar to that in eutopic endometrium of group 2. In contrast, gene expression levels of VEGF-C were relatively lower than those of VEGF-A in each lesion, and no cyclic variation was found. VEGF-A and C mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in ovarian endometriomas >6 cm in size than in those <6 cm in size. Immunohistochemical expression of VEGF-A and C was detected in the cytoplasm of glandular epithelial and stromal cells of ovarian endometrioma. These results suggest that endometriosis may arise from eutopic endometrium with higher levels of angiogenic activity possibly induced by VEGF-A in women with endometriosis. Moreover, VEGF-C as well as VEGF-A may be involved in the pathogenesis of ovarian endometrioma.     

缺血再灌注损伤对小鼠肾脏血管内皮生长因子受体3表达的影响

研究肾脏缺血再灌注( ischemia-reperfusion, IR)对小鼠肾脏血管内皮生长因子受体3( vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3, VEGFR3)表达的影响。方法30只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随即分为5组：假手术组( Sham组)﹑缺血再灌注0﹑6、12﹑24 h组( IR 0 h组﹑IR 6 h组﹑IR 12 h组﹑IR 24 h组),每组6只。缺血再灌注组用无创性动脉夹夹闭左侧肾带,置于32℃温箱后1 h松开血管夹,随后切除右肾。 Sham组操作同上,但不夹闭左侧肾蒂。再灌注0﹑6﹑12﹑24 h后处死小鼠,收集肾脏及小鼠外周血标本。测定血肌酐(Cr)和尿素氮(BUN)水平。 PAS染色后显微镜下观察肾脏病理学变化, Western印迹和免疫组织化学法检测肾脏组织血管内皮生长因子受体3的表达。结果与Sham组相比较,再灌注0 h时小鼠血肌酐和尿素氮无明显升高,但缺血再灌注6﹑12﹑24 h后血肌酐和尿素氮呈显著性上升。 IR各组肾组织病理损伤也随着再灌注时间的延长而逐渐加重,可见肾小管上皮细胞明显肿胀坏死,蛋白管型形成,刷状缘脱落。随着缺血再灌注时间的进展, VEGFR-3蛋白表达量增加,免疫组织化学染色结果显示VEGFR3主要分布在肾脏皮质髓质交界处的肾小管。结论 VEGFR3在肾脏缺血再灌注损伤后表达量上升,且表达部位主要分布于肾脏皮髓质交界处的肾小管,因此VEGFR3可能参与调控肾脏缺血再灌注损伤。     

脂质体介导的VEGF_(165)基因转染对内皮细胞生长的作用

构建血管内皮细胞生长因子基因VEGF165真核表达载体pcDNA3 VEGF165,以阳离子脂质体介导的基因转染技术 ,将基因转入原代培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞中。结果表明 ,基因转染 1h后细胞内就有VEGFDNA存在 ,VEGFmRNA水平显著上升 ;基因转染 2d后培养液上清VEGF蛋白表达显著上升 (135 5 12± 6 2 34)pg/ml和 (19 2 7± 2 96 )pg/ml,P <0 0 1。转染VEGF165基因 2d的内皮细胞再经程序降温冷冻保存复苏后 ,其存活率显著高于对照组 (pcDNA3 组 ) (90 13%± 2 84 %和81 5 2 %± 2 15 % ,P <0 0 5 ) ,凋亡率显著低于对照组 (7 15 %± 0 4 2 %和 17 6 1%± 1 5 6 % ,P <0 0 5 )。MTT法显示转染VEGF165基因能促进内皮细胞VEGF蛋白的表达 ,促进细胞增殖 ,抑制细胞凋亡。在治疗心脏及下肢动脉缺血性疾病中 ,VEGF165基因治疗可能具有重要的意义。     

Vascular endothelial growth factor‐C modulates cortical NMDA receptor activity in cortical lesions of young patients and rat model with focal cortical dysplasia

Emergence of dysmorphic neurons is the primary pathology in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) associated pediatric intractable epilepsy; however, the etiologies related to the development and function of dysmorphic neurons are not fully understood. Our previous studies revealed that the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor‐C (VEGF‐C) and corresponding receptors VEGFR‐2, VEGFR‐3 was increased in the epileptic lesions of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex or mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Here, we showed that the expression of VEGF‐C, VEGFR‐2, and VEGFR‐3 was increased at both mRNA and protein levels in patients with cortical lesions of type I, IIa, and IIb FCD. The immunoreactivity of VEGF‐C, VEGFR‐2 and VEGFR‐3 was located in the micro‐columnar neurons in FCD type I lesions, dysplastic neurons (DNs) in FCD type IIa lesions, balloon cells (BCs) and astrocytes in FCD type IIb lesions. Additionally, the amplitude of evoked‐EPSCs (eEPSC) mediated by NMDA receptor, the ratio of NMDA receptor‐ and AMPA receptor‐mediated eEPSC were increased in the dysmorphic neurons of FCD rats established by prenatal X‐ray radiation. Furthermore, NMDA receptor mediated current in dysmorphic neurons was further potentiated by exogenous administration of VEGF‐C, however, could be antagonized by ki8751, the blocker of VEGFR‐2. These results suggest that VEGF‐C system participate in the pathogenesis of cortical lesions in patients with FCD in association with modulating NMDA receptor–mediated currents.     

VEGF和HIF-1在糖尿病大鼠坐骨神经的表达及NGF的调节作用

目的探讨血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)及缺氧诱导因子-1(H IF-1)在糖尿病周围神经病变中的表达及神经生长因子的调节作用。方法大鼠糖尿病造模后分成糖尿病(DM)组及神经生长因子(NGF)治疗组,治疗2周后采用蛋白印迹及免疫组化法观察坐骨神经VEGF及H IF-1动态变化。结果蛋白印迹显示正常组坐骨神经纤维无VEGF和H IF-1表达,DM组VEGF及H IF-1表达呈阳性,NGF治疗组无表达。免疫组织化学结果显示,坐骨神经VEGF阳性产物位于轴突及雪旺氏细胞中,DM组积分光密度明显高于正常组及NGF组(P<0.01)。结论局部应用外源性NGF减少糖尿病大鼠坐骨神经VEGF和H IF-1的表达。     

组织工程中血管内皮生长因子的控制释放

血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)是一类调节血管内皮细胞活性的多肽,对组织和器官的再生和重塑有重要作用.但由于其半衰期短而导致体内降解速度过快,从而限制了它的临床应用.文中介绍了几种VEGF的控制释放体系,包括微球、纳米颗粒、水凝胶、组织工程支架以及基因载体的最新研究进展,它们对VEGF的控制释放有各自的优点,在促进组织再生和修复领域具有广阔的研究和应用前景.     

Airway Administration of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor siRNAs Induces Transient Airspace Enlargement in Mice

Purpose: Reduction in the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema. To this end, pharmacological VEGF receptor blockade, and the Cre-lox system models have been utilized to study the effects of VEGF depletion in the lung. These models generally reproduce air space enlargement resembling clinical emphysema. Here we report a potentially more readily available model of lung targeted VEGF depletion by airway administration of VEGF small inhibitory RNA oligonucleotides (siRNAs) in mice.Methods: Airway administration of VEGF siRNAs were done in C57BL/6 mice. The lungs were removed for histology and protein analysis 2, and 4 days later. Airspace enlargement was evaluated by lung volume measurement, and histological analyses. VEGF levels were analyzed by western blot and immunohistochemistry.Results: Airway administration of VEGF siRNAs induced transient air space enlargement in the mouse lung morphologically resembling the previously reported models of pulmonary emphysema. VEGF expression was significantly reduced in the lung, particularly in the alveolar septal cells. We also found that in this particular model, sequential airway administration of recombinant VEGF protein attenuated this air space enlargement. Additionally, we found that airway administration of DCI, a combination of dexamethasone, 3''-5''-cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and isobutylmethylxanthine attenuated the air space enlargement in this particular model, at least in part through the recovery of lung VEGF expression.Conclusions: The pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema is likely to be multifaceted, but the present mouse model may be useful in dissecting the involvement of VEGF in pulmonary emphysema.