BCL2 expression in CD105 positive neoangiogenic cells and tumor progression in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

The angiogenic microenvironment has been known to be a component of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma since its initial characterization. We have shown that angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma endothelial cells produce vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA), and participate in lymphoma progression. In squamous cell carcinoma, endothelial BCL2 expression induces a crosstalk with tumor cells through VEGFA, a major mediator of tumoral angiogenesis. In the present study, we analyzed BCL2 and VEGFA in 30 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphomas, using triple immunofluorescence to identify protein coexpression in well-characterized lymphoma cells and microenvironment neoangiogenic endothelial cells. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we assessed mRNA expression levels in laser-microdissected endothelial and lymphoma cells. In lymphoma cells, as in endothelial cells, BCL2 and VEGFA proteins were coexpressed. BCL2 was expressed only in neoangiogenic CD34(+)CD105(+) endothelial cells. In laser-microdissected cells, mRNA studies showed a significant relationship between BCL2 and VEGFA levels in CD34(+) endothelial cells, but not in CD3(+)CD10(+)lymphoma cells, or in CD34(+) endothelial cells from lymph node hyperplasia. Further study showed that, in AITL, BCL2 mRNA levels in CD34(+)CD105(+) neoangiogenic endothelial cells also correlated with microvessel density, International Prognostic Index, Ann Arbor stage, bone marrow involvement and elevated LDH. BCL2 expression by CD105(+) neoangiogenic endothelial cells is related to tumor progression in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.     

淋巴瘤血管内皮细胞人白细胞DR抗原和第Ⅷ因子相关抗原的表达

目的试图揭示人白细胞ＤＲ抗原（ＨＬＡ－ＤＲ）和第Ⅷ因子相关抗原（ＦⅧＲＡｇ）的表达规律,研究血管内皮细胞的生物学行为。方法应用ＨＬＡ－ＤＲ和ＦⅧＲＡｇ的抗血清,对３９例淋巴瘤中血管内皮细胞的功能异质性进行免疫组织化学及其形态定量研究,同时取新生儿、成人淋巴结及反应性增生淋巴结做对照。结果新生儿、成人淋巴结及反应性增生淋巴结内各类血管内皮细胞对ＨＬＡ－ＤＲ、ＦⅧＲＡｇ均呈阳性,其中高内皮后微静脉（ＨＥＶ）呈强阳性;Ｈｏｄｇｋｉｎ病和Ｔ细胞淋巴瘤中血管多数是ＨＥＶ样血管,内皮细胞均表达ＨＬＡ－ＤＲ及ＦⅧＲＡｇ;Ｂ细胞淋巴瘤中血管多数是毛细血管样血管,内皮细胞很少表达或不表达ＨＬＡ－ＤＲ,只表达ＦⅧＲＡｇ。结论说明Ｈｏｄｇｋｉｎ病和Ｔ细胞淋巴瘤中血管内皮细胞既参与免疫调节过程,又参与凝血过程;而Ｂ细胞淋巴瘤内血管内皮细胞只参与凝血过程,不参与免疫调节过程。     

Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders mimicking angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

Patients affected by autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, and dermatomyositis) treated with methotrexate (MTX) develop lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). These cases have been reported to be diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, or polymorphous post-transplant LPDs. However, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is extremely rare in the medical literature. In this report, we describe three cases of RA patients who developed MTX-associated LPDs resembling AITL. They developed systemic lymph node swelling after initiation of MTX. The affected lymph nodes showed the histological finding of AITL: polymorphous infiltrates, mainly T-cells and arborizing high endothelial venules. Two cases showed a predominance of CD4-positive cells in proliferative T-cells, whereas the third case showed CD8-positive cells. CD10 was negative in all cases. RNA in situ hybridization of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) demonstrated EBV-positive B-cells to be scattered in two cases, but not in one case. The lymphoadenopathy spontaneously regressed with cessation of MTX in all three cases, but one case recurred. These are interesting cases of MTX-associated LPDs mimicking AITL, and cessation of MTX is the only cure for patients with MTX-associated LPDs resembling AITL.     

CXCL13、CD10和bcl-6在血管免疫母细胞性T细胞淋巴瘤的诊断及鉴别诊断中的作用

目的 探讨CXCL13、CD10、bcl-6等标志物在血管免疫母细胞性T细胞淋巴瘤(AITL)的诊断和鉴别诊断中的作用.方法 对四川大学华西医院病理科1990年1月至2008年1月诊断的115例AITL、30例非特指外周T细胞淋巴瘤(PTCL,NOS)和30例以副皮质区增生为主的反应性增生(RH)进行回顾性分析.按2008版WHO关于淋巴造血组织肿瘤分类进行组织学分型,采用9种抗原标志物的免疫组织化学(SP法)染色及TCR-γ基因重排检测.结果 (1)7.8%(9/115)的AITL、6.7%(2/30)的PTCL,NOS和83.3%(25/30)的RH病例观察到生发中心;98.3%(113/115)的AITL、63.3%(19/30)的FTCL,NOS和76.7%(23/30)的RH病例观察到显著血管增生.(2)CXCL13、CD10、bcl-6在RH病例的表达局限在生发中心,在AITL的表达率分别为96.5%(111/115)、50.4%(58/115)和78.3%(90/115),在PTCL,NOS的表达率分别为26.7%(8/30)、3.3%(1/30)和3.3%(1/30),以上三个标记在两种淋巴瘤的表达率差异均具有统计学意义.115例AITL病例均见到滤泡外不规则分布的CD21阳性的滤泡树突状细胞网(FDC).TCR-γ基因克隆性重排在AITL中检出率为83%(83/100).结论 AITL是一种来源于生发中心辅助性T细胞(TFH)的高度侵袭性肿瘤,CXCL13、CD10、bcl-6是AITL诊断和鉴别诊断有用标志物.     

Endoglin (CD105) and vascular endothelial growth factor as prognostic markers in colorectal cancer.

Endoglin (CD105) has been shown to be a more useful marker to identify proliferating endothelium involved in tumor angiogenesis than panendothelial markers such as CD31. We investigated endoglin and vascular endothelial growth factor expression as possible prognostic markers in colorectal cancer. Surgical specimens from 150 patients with resected colorectal carcinomas were immunostained for endoglin, CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Colorectal carcinoma cases consisted of 50 cases without lymph node metastases, 50 cases with only lymph node metastases and 50 cases with liver metastases (38 cases also had positive lymph nodes). Positively stained microvessels were counted in densely vascular foci (hot spots) at x 400 fields in each specimen. For vascular endothelial growth factor, intensity of staining was scored on a three-tiered scale. Results were correlated with other prognostic parameters. Endoglin demonstrated significantly more proliferating neoplastic microvessels than CD31 (31+/-10 vs 19+/-8/0.15 mm2 field, P<0.001). Low vascular endothelial growth factor expression within tumor cells was seen in 49 (33%) and high expression in 101 cases (67%). There was a positive correlation of endoglin, CD31 counts and vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression with the presence of angiolymphatic invasion and lymph node metastases (P<0.05). Only endoglin counts correlated significantly with liver metastases and positive vascular pedicle lymph nodes (P<0.05), while vascular endothelial growth factor showed significant correlation with the depth of invasion (P<0.01). Endoglin, by staining higher numbers of the proliferating vessels in colon carcinoma, is a more specific and sensitive marker for tumor angiogenesis than the commonly used panendothelial markers. Endoglin staining also showed prognostic significance with positive correlation with angiolymphatic invasion and metastases to lymph nodes and liver.     

Sequential development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a patient with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

Lymphoma of different histologic type can occur in the same patient. Here, we describe a 64-year-old male patient with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) who subsequently developed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). At the time of initial diagnosis, histologic examination of a left inguinal lymph node of the patient and a monoclonal pattern of TCRβ gene rearrangement showed typical features of AITL, and there was no evidence of a monoclonal B-cell population. Twenty-six months later, he had generalized lymphadenopathy and organs involvement by DLBCL. A monoclonal IgH gene rearrangement proved de novo development of secondary B-cell lymphoma and excluded relapse of a primary composite lymphoma. The in situ hybridization analysis showed Epstein-Barr-encoded RNA (EBER) sporadic positivity in sample collected from AITL but extensive positivity in the immunoblasts collected from DLBCL. Our observation supports the hypothesis that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is etiologically related to AITL in this case. Clonal expansion of EBV-associated DLBCL is a secondary event in AITL via EBV infection or reactivation.     

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with dual genotype of TCR and IgH genes

A 70-year-old man complained of fever and sore throat accompanied by hoarseness of voice. On physical examination, there was no systemic abnormality but a mild lymphadenopathy of cervical lymph nodes. With laryngoscopy, there was a marked outgrowth of the bilateral palatine tonsils proximal to the vocal cord. The histology of the resected tumor was compatible with angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL), revealing the effacement of normal tonsillar architecture and small to medium-sized neoplastic cell proliferation around marked vascular proliferation and atrophic lymphoid follicles. Tumor cells were positive for conventional T-cell antigens as well as for the follicular helper T-cell marker, PD-1, and CXCL13. Large hodgkinoid cells, but no tumor cells, were positive for latent membrane protein-1 and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER)-1 (in situ hybridization). Non-neoplastic, double positive cells for EBER-1 and CD20 were also scattered. Southern blot analysis revealed dual TCR-Cβ1 and IGH-JH gene rearrangements. Although the swelling of bilateral inguinal and perigastric lymph nodes developed later, the radical resection of tumor and chemotherapy appeared to be effective for the treatment of AITL with clinical stage IIIa. We here report a rare case of AITL involving palatine tonsil as primary site and give a review of the literature.     

Clinicopathologic analysis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, follicular variant, and comparison with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma: Bcl-6 expression might affect progression between these disorders

We examined clinicopathologic findings in 17 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, follicular variant (f-PTCL), and compared these findings with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) to determine whether they were identical to the spectrum of changes seen in AITL and how each of the findings in f-PTCL were related to the characteristics of AITL. Almost all f-PTCL cases showed pathologic characteristics of AITL and immunohistochemical positivities in lymphoma cells for CD4, CD10, Bcl-6, PD-1, and CXCL13. Except for pathologic characteristics, clinicopathologic findings in f-PTCL had few significant differences from AITL. The positive rate for Bcl-6 expression in neoplastic cells was significantly associated with the frequency of polymorphic infiltrates, vascular proliferation, B-immunoblasts, clear cells, Epstein-Barr virus-positive lymphocytes, hepatosplenomegaly, and skin rash. Our study confirmed the continuity between f-PTCL and AITL. Moreover, Bcl-6 expression in f-PTCL was statistically associated with the characteristics of AITL.     

Bcl-6 expression in reactive follicular hyperplasia, follicular lymphoma, and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with hyperplastic germinal centers: heterogeneity of intrafollicular T-cells and their altered distribution in the pathogenesis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND: The Bcl-6 gene product, a nuclear phosphoprotein, is expressed independently of Bcl-6 gene rearrangement. In lymph nodes, expression of Bcl-6 protein is restricted to germinal center (GC) B-cells and 10% to 15% of CD3/CD4+ intrafollicular T cells. Interfollicular cells are negative for Bcl-6 protein, except for rare CD3+/CD4+ T cells. Recently, we reported cases of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) with hyperplastic GCs (AITL/GC), and observed that borders of enlarged GCs were ill defined, with features suggestive of an outward migration of GC cells to surrounding interfollicular zones. This prompted a study of follicular borders with Bcl-6 staining in reactive follicular hyperplasias and follicular lymphomas to compare with AITL/GC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin sections were used for immunostaining of Bcl-6. Six cases of AITL/GC, 12 nonspecific reactive follicular hyperplasia (FH), 7 HIV adenopathy, 10 follicular lymphoma (FL), and 8 typical AITL (ie, AITL without GC) were studied. Double staining for Bcl-6/CD20, Bcl-6/CD3, and Bcl-6/CD57 was performed in selected cases. RESULTS: In FH and HIV adenopathy, staining for Bcl-6 revealed densely populated GCs with well-defined and regular GC borders, whereas Bcl-6+ cells were rare in the interfollicular areas. An occasional GC with an ill-defined border was invariably surrounded by a broad mantle zone; those with indistinct mantle zones had well-defined, regular borders. In FL, follicles were densely populated, and their borders were irregular, with some Bcl-6+ cells in the interfollicular zones. In AITL/GC, GCs were less dense, GC borders were ill defined and irregular, and the number of interfollicular Bcl-6+ cells was markedly increased. Double staining revealed that these interfollicular Bcl-6+ cells in AITL/GC were Bcl6+/CD3+/CD20-/CD57- T cells. Moreover, CD3+ intrafollicular T cells were depleted in AITL/GC, whereas they were abundant in FH. Intrafollicular CD57+ cells did not stain for Bcl-6, and were also depleted in AITL/GC. In typical AITL, some neoplastic cells were positive for Bcl-6, showing variable degrees of staining. CONCLUSIONS: (1) GCs of AITL/GC differed from those of other reactive follicular hyperplasias and follicular lymphomas, and staining for Bcl-6 was useful to discern them. (2) Intrafollicular CD3+ T cells, many of which were also positive for Bcl-6, were markedly depleted in AITL/GC, with increased interfollicular Bcl-6+/CD3+ cells, suggesting an outward migration of intrafollicular T cells in this condition. (3) Interfollicular Bcl-6+/CD3+ cells in AITL/GC were too numerous to be accounted for by migration alone, suggesting local proliferation. (4) Intrafollicular CD57+ cells were negative for Bcl-6, indicating heterogeneity of the intrafollicular T-cell population. (5) Some neoplastic cells in AITL stained for Bcl-6, suggesting up-regulation of Bcl-6 expression in this tumor.     

TET2 mutations in B cells of patients affected by angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma

Angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphomas (AITLs) frequently carry mutations in the TET2 and IDH2 genes. TET2 mutations represent early genetic lesions as they had already been detected in haematopoietic precursor cells of AITL patients. We show by analysis of whole‐tissue sections and microdissected PD1⁺ cells that the frequency of TET2‐mutated AITL is presumably even higher than reported (12/13 cases in our collection; 92%). In two‐thirds of informative AITLs (6/9), a fraction of B cells was also TET2‐mutated. Investigation of four AITLs by TET2 and IGHV gene sequencing of single microdissected B cells showed that between 10% and 60% of polyclonal B cells in AITL lymph nodes harboured the identical TET2 mutations of the respective T‐cell lymphoma clone. Thus, TET2‐mutated haematopoietic precursor cells in AITL patients not only give rise to the T‐cell lymphoma but also generate a large population of mutated mature B cells. Future studies will show whether this is a reason why AITL patients frequently also develop B‐cell lymphomas. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

罗格列酮对人腹膜微血管内皮细胞AQP1、VEGF-A及COX-2表达的影响

目的:探讨罗格列酮对人腹膜微血管内皮细胞水孔蛋白1(AQP1)、血管内皮生长因子A(VEGFA)及环氧合酶2(COX-2)蛋白的影响。方法:(1)体外培养人腹膜微血管内皮细胞并分为4组;用倒置显微镜观察细胞形态学变化;(2)Western blotting检测细胞AQP1、VEGF-A和COX-2蛋白的表达;(3)real-time PCR检测细胞AQP1、VEGF-A及COX-2 mRNA的表达。结果:罗格列酮可促进人腹膜微血管内皮细胞增殖,上调AQP1蛋白及基因的表达(P0.05),下调VEGF-A和COX-2蛋白和mRNA的表达,过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPAR-γ)拮抗剂GW9662可部分抑制罗格列酮上调的AQP1表达(P0.05),但对VEGF-A及COX-2表达无明显影响(P0.05)。结论:罗格列酮能够上调腹膜微血管内皮细胞AQP1的表达,下调VEGF-A及COX-2的表达,这可能与罗格列酮增加腹膜水转运、减轻腹膜纤维化有关。     

Release and complex formation of soluble VEGFR-1 from endothelial cells and biological fluids

One of the key molecules promoting angiogenesis is the endothelial cell-specific mitogen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF or VEGF-A), which acts through two high-affinity receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFR), VEGFR-1 (or Flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (or KDR/Flk-1). It was shown before that a soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) can be generated by differential splicing of the flt-1 mRNA. This soluble receptor is an antagonist to VEGF action, reducing the level of free, active VEGF-A, and therefore, plays a pivotal role in the generation of vascular diseases like pre-eclampsia or intra-uterine growth retardation. Here we show that sVEGFR-1 is produced by cultured human microvascular and macrovascular endothelial cells and a human melanoma cell line. The soluble receptor is mainly complexed with ligands; only 5-10% remains detectable as free, uncomplexed receptor protein. Furthermore, we show the time course of total and free sVEGFR-1 release together with its putative ligands, VEGF-A and placenta growth factor (PIGF), from macrovascular endothelial cells. The release of sVEGFR-1 was quantitatively measured in two different ELISA types. The release of sVEGFR-1 was strongly enhanced by phorbol-ester (PMA); the cells produced up to 22 ng/ml of sVEGFR-1 after 48 hours. The expression of VEGF-A and PIGF was moderately influenced by PMA. We also show a hypoxia-induced increase of sVEGFR-1 expression in cells cultured from placenta, a tissue that has a high flt-1 gene expression. Moreover, we demonstrate that sVEGFR-1 in amniotic fluids acts as a sink for exogenous VEGF165 and PIGF-2. Here, for the first time, to what extent recombinant ligands have to be added to compensate for the sink function of amniotic fluids was analyzed. In conclusion, human endothelial cells produce high levels of sVEGFR-1, which influences the availability of VEGF-A or related ligands. Therefore, sVEGFR-1 may reduce the ligand binding to transmembrane receptors and interfere with their signal transduction.     

A case report of angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) with localization of neoplastic clear cells in the outer zone of germinal centers

Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) is characterized by the presence of atypical lymphocytes with clear cytoplasm and follicular dendritic cells, arborization of high endothelial blood vessels, and infiltration by inflammatory cells, such as epithelioid histiocytes, eosinophils, immunoblasts, and plasma cells. The neoplastic clear cells are localized around the high endothelial blood vessels or interfollicular areas. Recent reports have suggested that these neoplastic clear cells originate from helper T cells in germinal centers, based on their expression of CD10, PD-1, and CXCL13. We experienced a case of AITL which is histologically unique. A 61-year-old male presented to our hospital (Ogaki Municipal Hospital) with edema of his lower legs. Inguinal lymph node biopsy revealed that neoplastic clear T cells were mainly localized in the outer zone of germinal centers, specifically within the follicular dendritic cell (FDC) meshwork. Moreover, these cells were positive for CD3, CD4, CD10, CD43, CD45RO, PD-1, and weakly positive for CXCL-13. This is the first report showing that the neoplastic clear T cells were localized in the outer zone of germinal centers morphologically as well as immunohistochemically. In conclusion, this case report further supports the notion of germinal center helper T cell origin of neoplastic clear cells in AITL.     

血管免疫母细胞性T细胞淋巴瘤的形态及免疫表型研究

目的 研究血管免疫母细胞性T细胞淋巴瘤(AITL)形态学特点、特异性标志物,并探讨AITL中滤泡树突状细胞网的增生状况及其起源.方法 对29例AITL行bcl-6、CD10、CXCL13、CD21染色(EliVision法)及bcl-6/CD3、CD10/CD21及CD10/CD20双重染色,并选取外周T细胞淋巴瘤,非特殊类型(PTL-U);结外NK/T细胞淋巴瘤,鼻型;间变性大细胞淋巴瘤(ALCL);肠病性T细胞淋巴瘤(ETTL);皮下脂膜炎性T细胞淋巴瘤及淋巴结反应性增生作为对照.结果 (1)22例(75.9%)AITL表达CD10,对照组除1例PTL-U外均阴性;24例(82.8%)AITL表达CXCL13,所有PTL-u均阴性;而AITL中bcl-6的表达情况和PTL-u及反应性增生病例有一定程度的交叉.(2)29例AITL显示特征性的CD21阳性滤泡树突状细胞网增生,4例具有明显生发中心的病例,2例显示增生的滤泡树突状细胞网覆盖并超过生发中心.结论 AITL具有典型的形态学变化,CD10和CXCL13是AITL特异性标志物,而bcl-6不具有特异性;AITL中增生的滤泡树突状细胞网可能部分起源于生发中心.     

胃肠MALT淋巴瘤中bcl-10 mRNA和蛋白的表达

目的　探讨bcl- 10基因在胃肠黏膜相关淋巴组织(MALT)淋巴瘤中的表达情况及意义。方法　采用免疫组化S P 法及原位杂交技术检测40例胃肠MALT淋巴瘤和14例正常淋巴结中bcl- 10基因的表达。结果　40例MALT淋巴瘤中有36 例(90.0%)表达bcl- 10蛋白,其中21例仅在胞质表达,15例在胞质胞核同时表达;39例(97.5%)表达bcl 10mRNA。bcl -10 蛋白与mRNA表达之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。MALT淋巴瘤临床分期与bcl- 10蛋白核表达明显相关(P<0.01)。14 例淋巴结中,8例(57.1%)表达bcl -10蛋白。淋巴滤泡内生发中心B细胞呈高度表达,边缘区B细胞中等强度表达,套区细胞 微弱表达。结论　bcl -10的高度表达在MALT淋巴瘤发生发展可能起着重要作用。bcl -10蛋白核表达与进展期MALT淋巴瘤 相关。bcl -10蛋白在淋巴滤泡各区域的表达差异提示它对B细胞分化成熟有着重要意义。     

Microvessel density and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtypes

Angiogenesis is known to play a major role in neoplasia, including hematolymphoid neoplasia. We assessed the relationships among angiogenesis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the context of clinically and biologically relevant subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using immunohistochemical evaluation of tissue microarrays. We found that diffuse large B-cell lymphoma specimens showing higher local vascular endothelial growth factor expression showed correspondingly higher microvessel density, implying that lymphoma cells induce local tumor angiogenesis. In addition, local vascular endothelial growth factor expression was higher in those specimens showing higher expression of the receptors of the growth factor, suggesting an autocrine growth-promoting feedback loop. The germinal center-like and nongerminal center-like subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were biologically and prognostically distinct. Interestingly, only in the more clinically aggressive nongerminal center-like subtype were microvessel densities significantly higher in specimens showing higher vascular endothelial growth factor expression; the same was true for the finding of higher vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 expression in conjunction with higher vascular endothelial growth factor expression. These differences may have important implications for the responsiveness of the two diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtypes to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and anti-angiogenic therapies.     

血管内皮生长因子-A与血管内皮生长因子-C在非小细胞肺癌中表达及与淋巴结转移的相关性

目的 探讨血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)-A和VEGF-C在非小细胞肺癌(non-small lung cancer,NSCLC)中的表达及与淋巴管生成、转移的关系.方法 以60例肺癌组织作为实验组,20例肺正常组织作为参考组,采用免疫组织化学方法检测其中的VEGF-A和VEGF-C两种蛋白表达,以D2-40 及CD34分别标记组织淋巴管和血管中的内皮细胞,并记录淋巴管的密度,血管作为对比,结合NSCLC临床、病理参数系统分析.结果 ①肺癌组织内VEGF-A蛋白阳性的表达率为73.33%(44/60)明显高于肺正常组织25.00%(5/20)(χ2=14.7641,P=0.0001),VEGF-C蛋白的阳性表达率为83.33%(50/60) 明显高于肺正常组织30.00%(6/20)(χ2=20.3175,P =0.0001).②肺癌组织VEGF-A蛋白阳性的表达高于癌旁周围组织(χ2=4.4815,P=0.0343),癌组织内VEGF-C蛋白阳性的表达高于癌旁周围组织(χ2=8.5333,P=0.0035).③VEGF-A与VEGF-C蛋白的表达和患者的性别、年龄大小、分化的程度、肿瘤大小、组织学无关,但淋巴结转移与PTNM分期呈显著相关(χ2=6.3736,P=0.0116)和(χ2=6.6516,P=0.0099).④VEGF-A蛋白阳性组织中微淋巴管密度(microlymphatic vessel density,MLVD)显著高于阴性组织(t=-7.2735,P<0.005),VEGF-C蛋白阳性的组织中MLVD 显著高于阴性组织(t=6.9338,P<0.005).MLVD与淋巴结转移和PTNM分期显著相关(t=-12.1146,P<0.05).结论 NSCLC组织中VEGF-A与VEGF-C二者蛋白的表达可能通过促进增加淋巴管生成从而促进淋巴结的转移.因此,在NSCLC中VEGF-A和VEGF-C蛋白可作为评估淋巴结转移的重要标记因子.