Expression and prognostic relevance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (FLT-1) in nephroblastoma

AIMS: To investigate the prognostic relevance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor Flt-1 in nephroblastoma and whether tumour microvessel density (MVD) immunoreactivity, determined by the CD31 antigen, is related to the expression of VEGF and Flt-1. METHODS: The expression of VEGF and Flt-1 and MVD were investigated by means of immunohistochemical analysis in 62 Wilms's tumours. Patients were treated preoperatively with chemotherapy and had a mean follow up of 5.7 years. RESULTS: In general, VEGF and Flt-1 were expressed in normal kidney parenchyma and to a variable extent in the three main components of Wilms's tumour, namely: the blastemal, epithelial, and stromal cells. In tumour tissue, 52% and 47% of blastemal cells were positive for VEGF and Flt-1, respectively. A non-significant correlation was found between the expression of VEGF and Flt-1 in blastemal and epithelial cells and the clinicopathological stage. MVD was significantly higher in VEGF and Flt-1 positive tumours than in VEGF and Flt-1 negative tumours. Univariate analysis showed that the expression of VEGF and Flt-1 in blastemal cells was indicative of clinical progression and tumour specific survival. In addition, MVD expression was indicative of clinical progression. Epithelial staining was of no prognostic value. In a multivariate analysis, VEGF protein expression by blastemal cells was an independent prognostic marker for clinical progression. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that VEGF and Flt-1 protein expression are closely related to MVD and seem to be an important predictor for poor prognosis in treated patients with Wilms's tumour. Therefore, the expression of these molecules in primary Wilms's tumour may be useful in identifying those patients at high risk of tumour recurrence and in guiding antiangiogenic treatment.     

Hepatocyte growth factor increases expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in human keratinocytes and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor flk-1 in human endothelial cells

The pleiotropic growth factor hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) has been implicated by clinical and experimental studies in repair mechanisms in different organs and tissues. However, no data on the impact of HGF/SF in wound healing in the skin are yet available. Proliferating and migrating keratinocytes play a major role in repair processes in the skin by closing the wound. Recent evidence gathered from studies that used gene-deficient mice has implicated the plasminogen activator (PA)/plasmin system in wound healing, which depends on controlled matrix degradation and deposition during cell migration and proliferation. Furthermore, keratinocytes are an important source of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a potent inducer of angiogenesis. In this study, we show that in human keratinocytes HGF/SF but not the related cytokine macrophage stimulating protein (MSP) significantly increases expression of VEGF and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) on the level of protein and mRNA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that HGF/SF increases the expression of the VEGF receptor flk-1 in human endothelial cells and that, in an angiogenesis co-culture assay of endothelial cells and keratinocytes, HGF/SF increases endothelial cell tube formation significantly. Therefore, we propose a role for HGF/SF in wound repair in the skin: HGF/SF--produced by activated fibroblasts--increases in keratinocytes the expression of PAI-1, which leads to increased matrix stability during the repair process and which could also limit activation of HGF/SF by proteases such as urokinase-type PA (u-PA) or tissue-type PA (t-PA). Furthermore HGF/SF also increases the expression of VEGF in these cells, thereby initiating angiogenesis in a paracrine manner. This effect would be enhanced by an increased responsiveness of endothelial cells toward VEGF, resulting from the HGF/SF-induced up-regulation of flk-1 on these cells.     

人血管内皮生长因子受体胞外1-3、2-3 loopcDNA在酵母中的表达及其生物学活性研究

目的 在酵姆 中实现人血管内皮生长因子（hVEGF165)受体FLT-1胞外1-3及2-3loopcDNA的高效分泌性表达,并比较两种表达产物的生物学活性。方法 构建酵母重组表达质粒pPIC9K/FLT-1(1-3)及pPIC9K/FLT-1(2-3),并分别转化酵母宿主菌CS115,表达产物经CM-SepharoseFF阳离子交换层析和SephacrylS-100分子筛层析纯化后测定其生物学活性。结果 SDS-PACE显示,表达产物以可溶性分子形式存在于上清中,诱导4d的表达量占上清总蛋白的60%以上。表达的sFLT-1（1-3）及sFLT-1(2-3)都具有结合hVEGF165的能力和抑制hVEGF165对人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVC）的促增殖功能,其中前者的作用虽较强,但二者相差不大。结论 获得了具有生物学活性的可溶性重组TLT-1受体胞外区1-3及2-3loop小片段,为进一步的动物实验和临床应用提供有益的资料。     

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。     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor Flk-1 in canine mammary tumours

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces endothelial cell proliferation, and the beginning of angiogenesis, by interacting with specific endothelial receptors termed VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (Flk-1). In this study, Flk-1 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically in 10 benign and 40 malignant canine mammary tumours. There was immunolabelling of endothelial cells located within the neoplastic proliferation and at the infiltrating periphery, and also of neoplastic cells. The number of positive endothelial and neoplastic cells, was higher in malignant than in benign tumours. Moreover, in the malignant tumours, expression of Flk-1 increased from well to less differentiated phenotypes (grade 1-3). The presence of VEGF receptor on neoplastic cells suggests that VEGF has an autocrine function in which neoplastic cells act as both VEGF producers and target cells. Thus, in malignant tumours, VEGF may contribute to neoplastic growth by inducing angiogenesis and by stimulating the proliferation of neoplastic cells.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human gastric carcinomas

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor, is a secreted protein which may play a pivotal role in tumor-associated microvascular angiogenesis and hyperpermeability. The expression of mRNA for VEGF was examined in eight gastric carcinoma cell lines and 30 gastric carcinoma tissues as well as corresponding normal mucosa. All the cell lines expressed VEGF mRNA at various levels that correlated well with the amounts of VEGF secreted into the condition medium. The expression of VEGF mRNA by TMK-1 cells was increased by the treatment of epidermal growth factor (EGF) or interleukin-1α (IL-1α), whereas it was decreased by the treatment of interferon-β (IFN-β). In gastric carcinoma tissues, the level of VEGF mRNA in primary tumors was higher than that in the corresponding normal mucosas in six (46%) of 13 well-differentiated adenocarcinomas and in two (12%) of 17 poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, respectively. Vessel counts in well-differentiated adenocarcinomas had a tendency to be higher than those in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. In well-differentiated adenocarcinomas, the levels of VEGF mRNA expression tended to be higher in carcinomas of advanced stage than in early stage carcinomas. Both in situ mRNA hybridization and immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of VEGF expression within the tumor cells. These results suggest that VEGF may confer angiogenesis and progression of human gastric carcinomas, especially of the well-differentiated type.     

Expression of a recombinant extracellular fragment of human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor VEGFR1 in E. coli

Human vascular endothelium growth factor receptor VEGFR1 is a type III fms-like tyrosine kinase with weakly pronounced tyrosine kinase function. The second and third IgG-like domains of the extracellular part of VEGFR1 act as “traps” for VEGF and are prospective candidates for antiangiogenic therapy of VEGF-dependent tumors. cDNA encoding extracellular Ig-like domains 2, 3, 4 of VEGFR1 was cloned in expressing vectors pET28a, pET32a, and pQE60. The recombinant protein was expressed in E. coli cells and purified by metal affinity chromatography. An expressing construction and a superproducer strain were created, allowing the production of high amounts of recombinant VEGFR1 extracellular fragment, needed for experimental in vivo antiangiogenic therapy.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and thrombospondin-1 in colorectal carcinoma

Solid tumors require neovascularization for growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-characterized inducer of angiogenesis, while, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is thought to be an antiangiogenic factor. In this study, we examined the expressions of these antigens and their relationship with microvessel density, and determined their prognostic significance. One hundred specimens resected from patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were examined using immunohistochemical methods. Microvessel density, determined by immunostaining for factor VIII-related antigen, was significantly higher in tumors that were VEGF-positive and TSP-1-negative than in other tumors. Patients with VEGF-positive tumors had a significantly worse prognosis than did those with VEGF-negative tumors, and TSP-1 expression was inversely correlated with prognosis. The frequency of hepatic recurrence was significantly higher in patients with tumors that were VEGF-positive and TSP-1-negative than in all other patients. In conclusion, VEGF and TSP-1 are important regulators of tumor angiogenesis, and combined analysis of VEGF and TSP-1 may be useful for predicting recurrence in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma.     

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     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the dental follicle

Tooth eruption requires the presence of the dental follicle to recruit mononuclear cells, which fuse to form osteoclasts that resorb the alveolar bone such that the tooth can erupt. In the rat first mandibular molar, there is a major burst of osteoclastogenesis at day 3 postnatally and a lesser burst at day 10. Eruption molecules, such as CSF-1, are maximally expressed at day 3 in the dental follicle to promote this maximal osteoclast formation, but by the time of the secondary burst of osteoclastogenesis their expression is dramatically reduced. Because vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can substitute for CSF-1 to promote osteoclastogenesis, we examined its gene expression in vivo in the dental follicle and found that it and its two major isoforms (VEGF 120 and 164) were all maximally expressed at days 9-11, the time of the secondary burst. Treatment of the cells with phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, enhanced expression of the 2 major VEGF isoforms in the cultured dental follicle cells, whereas adding a specific PKC inhibitor prevented this. Treatment with PMA also increased the protein level of VEGF. Thus, VEGF may be involved in promoting the secondary burst of osteoclastogenesis, and activation of PKC may upregulate its expression.     

血管内皮生长因子及其受体在子宫内膜异位症中的表达和意义

目的:研究血管内皮生长因子(Vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)及其受体(Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor1,VEGFR1)在子宫内膜异位症(内异症)患者子宫在位内膜、异位内膜及正常对照组内膜组织中的表达,探讨其在子宫内膜异位症中的作用机制.方法:采用免疫组织化学及Western blot方法检测34例异位症患者在位内膜、异位内膜(内异症组)及34例正常内膜(对照组)组织中VEGF及其受体VEGFR1蛋白的定位及表达.结果:异症组在位及异位子宫内膜组织腺上皮细胞及间质细胞中均有VEGF及VEGFR1蛋白表达,且均高于同期对照组内膜,差异有统计学意义;对照组分泌期内膜VEGF及VEGFR1蛋白表达高于增生期,呈现周期性变化,而内异症组在位及异位内膜VEGF及VEGFR1蛋白表达失去周期性变化,分泌期与增生期均高表达,差异无统计学意义.Western blot检测结果与免疫组化结果一致.结论:内异症患者在位及异位内膜组织中VEGF、VEGFR1蛋白高表达可能与内异症的发生发展有关.     

Prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor in colorectal adenocarcinoma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the expression of growth factors and the clinicopathological variables of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to evaluate the amplification and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF-D, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2, VEGFR-3, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in a tissue microarray of 292 colorectal adenocarcinomas. The expression of EGFR, VEGF, VEGF-D, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 was detected in 5.1%, 10.0%, 6.8%, 5.2%, and 57.2%. EGFR expression was associated with angioinvasion (p < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.005). VEGFR-3 expression was higher in the rectum than in the colon (p < 0.05). VEGF expression correlated with VEGF-D (p < 0.05) and VEGFR-3 (p < 0.005) expression, while VEGF-D expression showed no significant association with VEGFR-2 or VEGFR-3. EGFR amplification was present in 10.6% and was not associated with EGFR protein expression. VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 expression levels were related to poor patient survival. Stage, perineural invasion, and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors based on a Cox analysis. VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 expression are markers of a poor prognosis in patients with surgically resected colorectal adenocarcinoma, whereas EGFR has a minor influence.     

Expression and functional significance of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors in human tumor cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the key factors in tumor neoangiogenesis, acting through its receptors KDR (VEGFR-2) and fit-1 (VEGFR-1) expressed on endothelial cells. Our data demonstrate that VEGFR-1 and to a lesser extent VEGFR-2 are expressed in a number of human tumor tissues and derived cells in culture. VEGFR-1 protein is expressed in 26 of 42 glioma tissues, 22 of which show a coexpression of VEGFR-1 with VEGFR-2; 1 glioma tissue expresses exclusively VEGFR-2. In the derived glioma cell cultures, we found VEGFR-1 mRNA expression in 6 of 11 cultures, with one coexpressing VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. Of four established glioma cell lines, two expressed VEGFR-1. In addition VEGFR-1 protein expression was demonstrated in 30 of 37 tumor tissues of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, with VEGFR-2 coexpression in 15 tissues and an expression of VEGFR-2 alone in 1 tissue. Derived tumor cell cultures showed mRNA expression of VEGFR-1 alone in seven of seven cases. Established melanoma cell lines expressed VEGFR-1 mRNA in four of five lines, with VEGFR-2 coexpression in two lines. Concerning the functional significance of VEGF receptor expression, VEGF treatment of VEGFR-1-expressing tumor cells induced the inhibition of cell proliferation by 25 to 55% and the inhibition of tumor cell migration by 29 to 55%. Thus our data indicate that the coexpression of VEGF and VEGFR-1 in tumor cells could have an inhibitory effect on tumor cell proliferation and migration, a mechanism possibly induced as a response to a deficiency in nutrient and oxygen supply.     

Angiopoietin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human esophageal cancer

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) has been shown to act as an angiogenic promoter in embryonic angiogenesis by promoting vascular branching, pericyte recruitment and endothelial survival. Ang-1 expression has not been examined in human esophageal cancer. We examined Ang-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in tumors from 45 esophageal cancer patients who underwent surgical resection. Forty (88.9%) of the 45 esophageal cancers revealed Ang-1 gene expression. VEGF121, VEGF165 and VEGF189 isoforms were detected in 93.3 (42/45), 55.6 (25/45) and 26.7% (12/45) of the cases, respectively. Ang-1 gene expression was significantly correlated with VEGF121 and VEGF165 gene expression (P=0.0289 and P=0.0127, respectively, Fisher's test). The results suggest that Ang-1 is associated with neovascularization in the cancer stroma through VEGF net-works in esophageal cancer.     

血管内皮生长因子受体3和Podoplanin在人结肠癌组织中的表达

目的:观察血管内皮生长因子受体3(vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3,VEGFR-3)和Podoplanin在人结肠癌组织中的表达,以探讨二者标记淋巴管的特异性。方法:选择55例人结肠癌组织标本,应用免疫组织化学法观察VEGFR-3和Podoplanin在人结肠癌组织中的表达。结果:Podoplanin主要表达于淋巴管内皮细胞上,微血管极少着色;VEGFR-3主要表达于淋巴管内皮细胞上,另外在小血管内皮也有较丰富的表达。结论:Podoplanin在淋巴管内皮细胞的表达具有较高特异性,可以用来标记淋巴管。