Antiangiogenic effect of somatostatin receptor subtype 2 on pancreatic cancer cell line： Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in vitro

AIM: To investigate the anti-angiogenic effect of somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) gene transfer into pancreatic cancer cell line PC-3, and the mechanisms involved in this effect. METHODS: The full length human SSTR2 cDNA was introduced into pancreatic cancer cell line PC-3 by lipofectamine-mediated transfection. Positive clones were screened by G418 and stable expression of SSTR2 was detected by immunohistochemistry SABC methods and RT-PCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the cell culture supernatants of SSTR2-expressing cells, vector control and mock control cells. Furthermore, the expressions of VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were detected by immunohistochemistry SABC methods and RT-PCR in these cells. RESULTS: VEGF levels in the cell culture supernatants were significantly reduced in the SSTR2-expressing cells (first week, 172.63+/-21.2 ng/L and after two months, 198.85+/-26.44 ng/L) compared with the vector control (first week, 790.39+/-86.52 ng/L and after two months, 795.69+/-72.35 ng/L) and mock control (first week, 786.42+/-90.62 ng/L and after two months, 805.32+/-84.36 ng/L) (P<0.05). The immunohistochemical assay showed a significant reduction of the integral optical density of VEGF and MMP-2 in the SSTR2-expressing cells (42.25+/-8.6 and 70.5+/-6.25, respectively) compared with the vector control (85.75+/-12.9 and 110.52+/-13.5, respectively) and mock control (82.6+/-9.28 and 113.56+/-9.62, respectively) (P<0.05). Conversely, the average gray value of VEGF and MMP-2 was significantly increased in the SSTR2-expressing cells (121.56+/-8.43 and 134.46+/-19.95, respectively) compared with the vector control (55.72+/-5.6 and 62.26+/-12.68, respectively) and mock control cells (58.48+/-6.2 and 65.49+/-9.16, respectively) (P<0.05). Moreover, the expressions of VEGF mRNA and MMP-2 mRNA were significantly reduced in the SSTR2-expressing cells (0.1384+/-0.017 and 0.2343+/-0.070, respectively) compared with the vector control (1.024+/-0.117 and 0.806+/-0.119, respectively) and mock control (1.085+/-0.105 and 0.714+/-0.079, respectively) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of reintroduced human SSTR2 gene exerts its antiangiogenic effects by down-regulating the expressions of the factors involved in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, suggesting SSTR2 gene transfer as a new strategy of gene therapy for pancreatic cancer.     

Spider angiomas in patients with liver cirrhosis： Role of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor

AIM: To investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) are associated with spider angiomas in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled and the number and size of the spider angiomas were recorded. Fifty-three healthy subjects were selected as controls. Plasma levels of VEGF and bFGF were measured in both the cirrhotics and the controls. RESULTS: Plasma VEGF and bFGF were increased in cirrhotics compared with controls (122 +/- 13 vs. 71 +/- 11 pg/mL, P=0.003 for VEGF; 5.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.5 pg/mL, P=0.022 for bFGF). In cirrhotics, plasma VEGF and bFGF were also higher in patients with spider angiomas compared with patients without spider angiomas (185 +/- 28 vs. 90 +/- 10 pg/mL, P=0.003 for VEGF; 6.8 +/- 1.0 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.5 pg/mL, P=0.017 for bFGF). Multivariate logistic regression showed that young age and increased plasma levels of VEGF and bFGF were the most significant predictors for the presence of spider angiomas in cirrhotic patients (odds ratio [OR]=6.64, 95 % confidence interval [CI]=2.02-21.79, P=0.002; OR=4.35, 95% CI=1.35-14.01, P=0.014; OR=5.66, 95% CI=1.72-18.63, P=0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Plasma VEGF and bFGF are elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis. Age as well as plasma levels of VEGF and bFGF are significant predictors for spider angiomas in cirrhotic patients.     

Influence of transarterial chemoembolization on angiogenesis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and basicfibroblast growth factor in rat with Walker-256 transplanted hepatoma： An experimental study

AIM: After transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), the residual cancer cells are under extensive hypoxic or even anoxic environment. Hypoxia can lead to adaptive responses. For example, angiogenesis will help these cells survive. In this study, we examined the effect of TACE on angiogenesis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and to assess their relevance to Walker-256 transplanted hepatoma. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were inoculated with Walker-256 tumor in the left lobe of liver. Angiography and transarterial chemoembolization were performed at d14 after transplantation. Sixty rats bearing walker-256 transplanted hepatoma were randomly divided into control group, arterial infusion group and TACE group. Each group consisted of twenty rats. Normal saline, 5-Fu, 5-Fu and lipiodol were infused through hepatic artery respectively. Two weeks after the infusion, staining of factor VIII, VEGF and b-FGF was performed by immunohistochemistry method in routine paraffin-embedded sections. Microvessel density (MVD) was counted in endothelial cells with positive factor VIII. Their expression levels were analyzed in conjunction with the pathologic features. RESULTS: While a smaller tumor volume was found in TACE group (F=37.818, P<0.001), no statistical differences between MVD and expression of VEGF and b-FGF were found among the 3 groups. MVD of the control group, chemotherapy group and chemoemoblization group was 80.84+/-24.24, 83.05+/-20.29 and 85.20+/-23.91 (F=0.193, P=0.873), respectively. The positive expression of VEGF and b-FGF was 75%, 75%, 85% (chi2=0.449, P=0.799) and 30%, 25%, 30% (chi2=0.141, P=0.922), respectively. Statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation between the expression of VEGF and MVD (r=0.552, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: There has been little influence of lipiodol chemoembolization on the formation of tumor angiogenesis, but the development of neovascularization and expression of VEGF play important roles in establishment of collateral circulation and reconstruction of blood supply of residual cancer tissue.     

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver in association with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor：A case report

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver is a rare benign lesion that can mimic a malignant liver nioplasm. A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver found in association with a malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the small bowel was reported. The inflammatory pseudotumor was misdiagnosed as a metastasis from the GIST by frozen section. A correct diagnosis was made only after histopathological examination of the paraffin section of the resescted specimen. This case is psrticularly interesting because of the association of the two rare pathological entities and the diagnostic dilemma that arose from the similarity of their histological appearances. To our knowledge,this association has not been reported in the literature.     

Capsaicin regulates vascular endothelial cell growth factor expression by modulation of hypoxia inducing factor-1α in human malignant melanoma cells

PURPOSE: Capsaicin (8-Methyl-N-Vanillyl-6-nonenamide), a known natural dietary chemopreventive agent, inhibits malignant melanoma cell proliferation. In the present study, we examined the effect of capsaicin on constitutive and induced vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) expression in malignant melanoma cells. RESULTS: Capsaicin treatment resulted in enhanced VEGF protein secretion in malignant melanoma cells independent of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. The observed up-regulation of VEGF production by capsaicin was concentration- and duration-dependent and was inversely associated with inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation. We observed an increase in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha and VEGF mRNA expression in capsaicin-treated melanoma cells. Further, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) from nuclear extracts from melanoma cells showed a decrease in constitutive activation of NF-kappaB and enhanced HIF-1alpha binding activity to hypoxia response element (HRE) in melanoma cells treated with different concentrations of capsaicin. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that inhibition of cellular proliferation by capsaicin follows enhanced VEGF production by remaining melanoma cells by enhancing HIF-1alpha expression and binding to HRE.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors VEGFR-1 and 2 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyomas and schwannomas

INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that may occur from the oesophagus to the anus, including the omentum[1,2]. Despite their rarity, GISTs are the most common primary mesench…     

Effect of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 in a patient with hepatic metastases from a duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors. The molecular etiology is the result of mutations in the c-Kit gene. The mutant c-Kit proteins, which are activated without a stem cell factor, contribute to the tumor development. STI571 selectively inhibits c-Kit, BCR-ABL, and PDGFR tyrosine kinases. Based on this potential to inhibit critical c-Kit function in GISTs, case studies have reported effective outcomes following treatment with STI571. This case report describes a highly effective use of STI571 in a 54-year-old woman with multiple liver metastases from a GIST originating in the duodenum.     

A pilot study of imatinib mesylate (STI571) on gastrointestinal stromal tumors in Japanese patients

Background Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common type of nonepithelial tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal stromal tumor is defined immunohistologically as a c-Kit-positive tumor. For those GISTs that are malignant, the only effective treatment modality has been surgical. Early clinical reports have shown that imatinib mesylate (STI571) produces substantial anticancer activity in patients with metastatic or unresectable GIST.Methods Nine Japanese patients who were found clinically and immunohistochemically to have inoperable GISTs were entered into this study. These patients were given 400mg STI571 orally once daily. We then evaluated the tumor response and the safety of the drug.Results Five of the nine patients achieved partial responses, two had stable disease, and two had progressive disease. The main side effects were skin rash, edema, periorbital edema, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Mild anemia, leukocytopenia, and neutropenia were also noted. No patients required dose reduction or cessation because of adverse events.Conclusions This study demonstrates that STI571 might be an active agent against malignant GIST in Japanese patients with manageable toxicities.     

老年大鼠心肌缺血后VEGF及其亚型的表达

目的探讨老年急性心肌缺血后VEGF各亚型表达特点,为老年心血管疾病的促血管生成治疗奠定基础。方法复制老龄大鼠心肌梗死模型,采用RT-PCR技术同管扩增VEGF和内参基因,比较VEGF各亚型与内参基因的比值,VEGF120、164、188的和为总VEGF。结果老年大鼠心脏总VEGFmRNA在缺血各阶段明显少于年青大鼠(P<0.01),而且达到峰值的时间推迟,老年大鼠第6小时总VEGFmRNA与GAPDH的比值(2.86±0.19)明显低于年青大鼠第3小时的比值(6.09±0.30)(P<0.001)。缺血后各时间点年青和老年大鼠的VEGF164所占比例最高,VEGF120最低。老年大鼠VEGF188的表达比例增加。结论老年大鼠心肌缺血后VEGF表达减少,而且没有血管生成活性的VEGF188所占比例增加,可能导致老年缺血心肌血管生成能力下降。     

膀胱移行细胞癌VEGF和VEGFR的表达及相关性的探讨

目的　探讨膀胱移行细胞癌 (BTCC)中血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)及其受体 (VEGFR)的表达及与两者之间的关系。方法　采用免疫组织化学链霉菌抗生物素 过氧化物酶连接法 (S P法 )对 30例BTCC及 1 0例正常膀胱黏膜组织中VEGF及VEGFR的表达进行检测。结果　VEGF和VEGFR在绝大多数BTCC中呈阳性表达 ,平均表达率分别为 87%和 73 %。随肿瘤分期和分级的升高其表达水平升高 ,但在正常膀胱组织中未见表达。结论　BTCC中VEGF和VEGFR表达阳性 ,提示其在BTCC的血管生成和侵袭进展过程中起着重要作用 ,并将有可能为BTCC抗血管形成治疗及预防提供新的思路     

血管内皮生长因子在肺癌组织中表达的研究

目的　观察血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)表达、肺癌组织微血管密度 (MVD)和肺癌临床病理指标及预后的关系 ,探讨VEGF的作用机制。　方法　应用免疫组化方法检测 6 0例肺癌患者肺癌组织标本MVD及VEGF的表达。　结果　①VEGF在肿瘤细胞、肺癌组织内巨噬细胞呈阳性 ,部分血管内皮细胞及成纤维细胞也呈弱阳性。②肺癌组织MVD计数在肺癌各项临床病理指标中无显著性差异 ,P >0 0 5 ;VEGF表达在不同N分期 (淋巴结转移 )及临床分期之间存在显著性差异 ( P <0 0 1,P <0 0 5 ) ,并随淋巴结转移及临床分期的进展而有逐渐增强的趋势。③血管高密度组VEGF表达阳性率为 77 4 %,明显高于血管低密度组 ( 44 8%) ,P <0 0 1。④CoxRegression风险比例模型分析 ,肺癌临床分期及VEGF表达可作为判断肺癌患者预后的独立指标。　结论　①VEGF可由肿瘤细胞、巨噬细胞及部分血管内皮细胞及成纤维细胞等多种细胞产生 ,通过旁分泌作用促进肿瘤血管生成。②VEGF在肺癌淋巴结转移及临床分期中起重要作用 ,并可作为判断肺癌患者预后的参考指标之一。     

Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor in sera of patients with rheumatic diseases

Abstract

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the progression of rheumatic disease. We measured the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in sera from patients with rheumatic diseases and investigated whether these angiogenic factors would be useful in the evaluation of rheumatic diseases. Serum VEGF and HGF levels were determined using ELISA in 128 patients with rheumatic diseases and in 11 healthy controls. Serum VEGF and HGF levels were significantly higher in patients with rheumatic diseases compared to healthy controls [VEGF, 312 ± 20?pg/ml versus 61 ± 8?pg/ml (mean ± SE), P < 0.001; HGF, 935 ± 36?pg/ml versus 413 ± 49?pg/ml, P < 0.01]. Serum VEGF and HGF levels were significantly elevated in patients with adult Still's disease (VEGF, 1021 ± 258?pg/ml; HGF, 1500 ± 295?pg/ml) and were relatively increased in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (VEGF, 359 ± 94?pg/ml) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) (VEGF, 356 ± 43?pg/ml; HGF, 1294 ± 224?pg/ml). HGF levels correlated with the clinical course and disease severity in rheumatic disease patients. VEGF levels correlated with the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon (P < 0.05), interstitial lung disease (ILD) (P < 0.05), and serum KL-6 levels (P < 0.01), whereas HGF levels correlated with cryoglobulinemia (P < 0.05), ILD (P < 0.05), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.05), thrombomodulin (P < 0.05), and KL-6 levels (P < 0.05) in rheumatic disease patients. VEGF levels correlated with the skin scores and KL-6 levels in SSc patients and also correlated with the disease activity of RA patients. These data suggest that serum VEGF and HGF levels are related to rheumatic disease activity and the presence of complications. Analysis of VEGF and HGF may be useful in the clinical evaluation of rheumatic disease patients.     

血管内皮生长因子对腹水性质的诊断价值

目的　探讨腹水中血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)测定在良恶性腹水鉴别诊断中的价值 ,以及联合检测癌胚抗原 (CEA)的临床意义。方法　于 2 0 0 2 - 0 5～ 2 0 0 3- 0 2采用酶联免疫吸附法检测苏州大学附属第一医院住院患者 5 8例腹水中的VEGF、CEA质量浓度。结果　恶性腹水VEGF含量明显高于良性腹水 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1)。联合测定腹水VEGF和CEA质量浓度 ,其诊断恶性腹水的敏感性较单独腹水CEA检测有明显提高 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　腹水VEGF测定有助于良恶性腹水的鉴别诊断 ,联合检测腹水VEGF和CEA对于腹水的鉴别诊断更有临床实用价值。     

大肠癌组织中P16蛋白和血管内皮生长因子的表达及其临床意义

目的：探讨大肠癌组织中P16蛋白和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）表达及其临床意认。方法：用S－P免疫组织化学方法测定66例大肠癌组织和20例正常大肠组织中P16蛋白和VEGF的表达。结果：大肠癌中P16蛋白阳性率为48．5％（32／66）明显低于对照组的70．0％（14／20）（P＜0．01），VEGF阳性率为72．7％（48／66）则明显高于对照组的15．0％（3／20）（P＜0．01）：P16蛋白和VEGF在大肠癌中表达具有明显负相关性；P16蛋白和VEGF表达与大肠癌组织学类型、肿瘤直径、肿瘤部位无关（P＞0．05），而与淋巴结转移、Duke's分期五年生存率有明显的关系（P＜0．01）。结论：大肠癌中存在P16蛋白下调和VEGF上调，P16蛋白和VEGF表达可作为反映大肠癌生物学行为的指标之一。     

小窝蛋白1和血管内皮生长因子在结直肠癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨小窝蛋白1(Cav-1)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在结直肠癌组织中的表达,分析其与结直肠癌临床病理因素的关系及意义.方法:收集辽宁省肿瘤医院2007-01/2009-06肿瘤外科手术切除的83例结直肠癌标本及其配对正常结直肠组织（距癌灶边缘＞5 cm）.应用免疫组织化学SP法检测Cav-1和VEGF蛋白在...