Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in surgical specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been reported to play an important role in angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is great variation in reports on the distribution of VEGF expression, especially in non-carcinoma liver cells. Furthermore, some reports have mentioned that endothelial cells were positive for VEGF antibody but have not evaluated its significance. In this study, we focused our attention to these problems and try to solve them. We also analyzed the factors influencing VEGF expression and evaluated the prognostic potential of VEGF protein in HCC. Methods: We examined the VEGF expression in specimens surgically removed from 46 HCC patients and 3 patients with liver cancer metastatic from the colon, and in 4 specimens of liver tissue with benign disease, by immunohistochemical methods. Results/conclusions: VEGF was expressed in HCC cells and hepatocytes and on vascular endothelial cells. Our finding that about seven times more endothelial cells were positive for VEGF antibody in carcinoma areas than in non-carcinoma areas (P < 0.001) suggests that VEGF is a very important angiogenesis factor for HCC growth. VEGF expression in HCC cells and non-carcinoma liver cells and on endothelial cells did not closely correlate with the disease recurrence rate (P > 0.05), suggesting that VEGF expression may not be useful as an individual factor for estimating the prognosis of HCC. A statistical analysis of the relationships between VEGF expression and clinicopathological variables revealed the following: preoperative transcatheter arterial embolization enhanced VEGF expression in both HCC cells and non-carcinoma liver cells. The histological grade of HCC and the level of alanine aminotransferase was related to VEGF expression in non-carcinoma liver cells and on endothelial cells in HCC areas. Tumor size and the histological status of the accompanying chronic hepatitis also influenced the VEGF expression on endothelial cells. Our findings concerning not only HCC but also the surrounding liver and endothelial cells may provide useful information for further research on the role of VEGF expression in HCC patients. Received: 29 July 1999 / Accepted: 11 October 1999     

Expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus

Purpose: Both platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are known to promote the development of new blood vessels, which are fundamental to tumor growth and metastasis. We aimed at evaluating the gene expression of PD-ECGF and VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Patients and methods: Surgical specimens (28 HCC, 28 nontumorous liver tissues and 18 PVTT) were studied by Northern blot analysis. The levels of PD-ECGF mRNA and VEGF mRNA expression were measured by densitometric scanning of the autoradiographs, and they were normalized to the level of expression of an internal control (glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase) mRNA. Results: The expression rates of PD-ECGF mRNA in PVTT, HCC and nontumorous liver tissues were 77.8% (14/18), 67.9% (19/28) and 35.7% (10/28), being 88.9% (16/18), 75.0% (21/28) and 17.9% (5/28) respectively for VEGF mRNA. The expressions of PD-ECGF mRNA and VEGF mRNA were higher in HCC with PVTT than when PVTT was absent (P < 0.05). The PVTT was more often seen in patients with positive expression of both PD-ECGF mRNA and VEGF mRNA in HCC than in patients who were positive for only one of these factors or negative for both (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both PD-ECGF and VEGF correlated well with the formation of PVTT of HCC. Received: 20 June 1999 / Accepted: 20 July 1999     

血管内皮生长因子受体与肝细胞癌血管生成关系的研究进展

新生血管是肿瘤生长和转移的基础.肝细胞肝癌是典型的多血管肿瘤,其发生、发展、转移、侵袭都和血管生成密切相关.血管的生成主要依靠血管生长因子和血管生长抑制因子的调控,其中研究最多也是最重要的是血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及其受体(VEGFR).VEGFR在机体内作用不同,参与肝癌血管生长的主要是VEGFR-1(flt-1)和VEGFR-2(flk-1).针对VEGFR的抗肿瘤血管治疗在实验室取得了不错的疗效,部分已经进入了临床试验.     

High expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor predict poor prognosis in alpha-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma patients after curative resection

Purpose  To evaluate the prognosis value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after curative resection. Methods  Tumor tissue microarrays (TMAs) were used to detect the expressions of VEGF and PD-ECGF in consecutive 162 AFP-negative HCC patients undergoing curative resection between 1997 and 2000 in our institute. Clinicopathologic data for these patients were evaluated. The prognostic significance was assessed using Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and log-rank tests. Multivariate study with Cox’s proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the prognosis-related aspects. Results  The positive rates of VEGF and PD-ECGF in tumor tissues were 59.9% (97/162) and 62.3% (101/162), respectively. Univariate analysis showed that VEGF and PD-ECGF were prognostic factors for relapse-free survival (P = 0.034 and P = 0.033, respectively). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that the co-index (VEGF/PD-ECGF) was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and relapse-free survival (P = 0.002 and P = 0.000, respectively). Conclusion  The co-index of VEGF and PD-ECGF is a promising independent predictor for recurrence and survival of AFP-negative HCC patients after curative resection. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. J. Hu, Y. Xu and Z.-Z. Shen have contributed equally to this work.     

胃癌组织中CyclinD1和VEGF的表达及意义

目的　探讨 Cyclin D1 和 VEGF与胃癌分型、分期、浸润转移等生物学行为的关系及二者之间的相关性。方法　应用免疫组织化学链霉素抗生物素蛋白 -过氧化物酶法 (S- P)检测各期胃癌 (共 5 7例 )组织中Cyclin D1 和 VEGF的表达。结果　 Cyclin D1 表达与胃癌分化程度密切相关 ,与肿瘤浸润深度、淋巴结转移及TNM分期无关 ;VEGF的表达与胃癌的分化程度、肿瘤浸润深度、淋巴结转移、TNM分期均密切相关。在胃癌组织中 Cyclin D1 和 VEGF的表达呈正相关。结论　 Cyclin D1 过表达参与了胃癌的发生 ,VEGF促进胃癌的增长 ,促使肿瘤向黏膜深层浸润并向远处转移。Cyclin D1 和 VEGF在胃癌的发生中起协同作用 ,其表达与 TNM分期密切相关 ,二者联合检测可作为胃癌手术治疗及预后评估的参考指标     

大肠癌血管内皮生长因子和新生血管的临床意义研究

目的　探讨血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)和微血管密度 (MVD)在大肠癌组织中的表达 ,及其与肿瘤血管生成和预后的关系。方法　采用免疫组织化学方法 ,分别用 VEGF抗体和 CD34 因子抗体检测 97例大肠癌组织标本中 VEGF的表达水平和 MVD。结果　 97例大肠癌组织中 6 8例 VEGF阳性表达 ,主要表达于肿瘤细胞浆内 ,在低分化腺癌中的表达量最高 ;VEGF表达与性别、年龄和临床分期无相关性 ;VEGF阳性者和 VEGF阴性者的 MVD值比较有极显著性差异 (P<0 .0 1)。结论　大肠癌组织中 VEGF阳性表达不能作为判断患者预后的独立指标。 VEGF在大肠癌的肿瘤血管生成过程中发挥重要作用 ;MVD可以作为大肠癌患者独立的预后指标     

肝癌组织血管内皮生长因子表达水平的免疫组化研究

目的　旨在研究血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)与肝癌微血管形成、生长和转移诸方面的关系。方法　对临床 3 6例肝癌术后癌组织 ,以免疫组织化学法研究VEGF在肿瘤组织的胞内分布及其表达 ;并以ELISA法测定癌灶、癌旁及远癌组织中的VEGF蛋白的表达水平。结果　癌组织中VEGF阳性表达率为 63 .9% ;无包膜或包膜不完整组VEGF阳性表达率与有包膜组存在显著差异 ;肝癌伴有远处转移组VEGF阳性表达水平显著高于无转移组 (P <0 .0 1) ,癌灶组织中VEGF的表达水平明显高于癌旁、远癌组织(P <0 .0 1)。结论资料提示VEGF在肝癌组织中高度表达 ,它在HCC的血管形成、肿瘤发展和转移过程中起重要作用 ,提示癌组织中VEGF过度表达是反映肿瘤侵袭生长及转移潜能的有效指标     

Inhibitory effect of interferon-α-2b on expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in human hepatocellular carcinoma inoculated in nude mice

AIM： To evaluate the effects of interferon-α-2b （IFN- α-2b） on expression of cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in human hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） inoculated in nude mice and to study the underlying mechanism of IFN-α- 2b against HCC growth. METHODS： Thirb/-two nude mice bearing human HCC were randomly divided into four groups （n = 8）. On the 10th day after implantation of HCC cells, the mice in test groups （groups A, B and C） received IFN-α- 2b at a serial dose （10000 IU for group A, 20000 IU for group B, 40000 IU for group C sc daily） for 35 d. The mice in control group received normal saline （NS）. The growth conditions of transplanted tumors were observed. Both genes and proteins of COX-2 and VEGF were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Apoptosis of tumor cells in nude mice was detected by TUNEL assay after treatment with IFN-α-2b. RESULTS： Tumors were significantly smaller and had a lower weight in the IFN-α-2b treatment groups than those in the control group （P 〈 0.01）, and the tumor growth inhibition rate in groups A, B and C was 27.78%, 65.22% and 49.64%, respectively. The expression levels of both genes and proteins of COX-2 and VEGF were much lower in the IFN-α-2b treatment groups than in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. The apoptosis index （AI） of tumor cells in the IFN-α-2b treatment groups was markedly higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. Group B had a higher inhibition rate of tumor growth, a lower expression level of COX-2 and VEGF and a higher AI than groups A and C （P 〈 0.05）, but there was no significant difference between groups A and C. CONCLUSION： The inhibitory effects of IFN-α-2b on implanted tumor growth and apoptosis may be associated with the down-regulation of COX-2 and VEGF expression. There is a dose-effect relationship. The medium dose of IFN-α-2b for inhibiting tumor growth is 20 000 IU/d.     

胃癌组织中MK、VEGF表达的意义

目的:研究中期因子(midkine,MK)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在胃癌组织中的表达情况,并探讨其临床意义.方法:采用免疫组织化学方法检测64例胃癌组织、20例癌旁正常组织中MK、VEGF和CD34蛋白表达情况.结果:胃癌组织中MK、VEGF的阳性表达率分别为76.6%和79.7%,显著高于癌旁正常组织(0,15.0%)(P<0.05).MK、VEGF的表达水平与胃癌的浸润深度(χ2=7.111,P=0.008;χ2=7.590,P=0.006)、淋巴结转移(χ2=4.814,P=0.028;χ2=6.207,P=0.013)、临床分期(χ2=13.971,P=0.001;χ2=18.554,P=0.000).MK表达阳性的胃癌组织MVD显著高于MK表达阴性的胃癌组织(31.745±8.592vs24.680±8.938,P<0.01),而且MK、VEGF表达在胃癌中也存在一定相关性(χ2=4.447,P<0.05).结论:MK、VEGF在胃癌的生长、侵袭与转移中起重要作用,他们之间存在相互诱导或是协同效应,其共同表达可作为判断胃癌预后的指标.     

Inhibitory effect of antisense vascular endothelial growth factor RNA on the profile of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line in vitro and in vivo

AIM:To evaluate the effect of antisense vascularendothelial growth factor(VEGF)RNA(PCMV-FGEV)transfection on the profile of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)SMMC-7721 cells in vitro and in vivo.METHODS:SMMC-7721 cells were transfectedwith PCMV-FGEV antisense,PCMV-VEGF sense andempty vector plasmid encapsulated by lipofectamineas antisense group,sense group and control grouprespectively.The positive cell clones were selectedwith G418.The stable transfection and expressionof VEGF in the cells were determined by RT-PCR andimmunohistochemistry.Cell proliferation was observedby MTT assay.FACS analysis was used to determine theeffect of PCMV-FGEV transfection on cell apoptosis.Thegrowth of transfected cells in Wvo was also observed innude mice.RESULTS:VEGF expression was reduced in SMMC-7721transfected with PCMV-FGEV,which was confirmed byRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.No effect of PCMV-FGEV transfection was found on cell proliferation andcell apoptosis of SMMC-7721 in vitro.The growth of cellstransfected with PCMV-FGEV was slow in nude miceand accompanied with obvious apoptosis.The latenttime of tumors in the antisense group was 25.0±1.8d,which was longer than that in sense and controlgroups(F=19.455,P<0.01).The average tumor weightin antisense group(0.96 g±0.28 g)was the smallestamong the three groups(F=21.501,P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The expression of VEGF can be inhibitedby antisense PCMV-FGEV.Antisense PCMV-FGEV has no effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis of SMMC-7721in vitro but can inhibit tumor growth and induce cellapoptosis in vivo.     

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     

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...     

胃癌组织与血清中VEGF和bFGF的表达意义

目的：研究胃癌患者血清和组织中VEGF,bFGF的表达与胃癌临床特征之间的关系,研究二者的相关性及组织和血清之间的相关性,探讨VEGF,bFGF在胃癌的发生、发展、侵袭和转移中的作用方法：应用酶联免疫技术(ABC-ELISA方法)检测73例胃癌患者术前血清和20例健康体检者血清中的VEGF,bFGF的表达水平,同时应用免疫组织化学染色方法检测癌组织和癌旁组织中VEGF,bFGF的表达．结果：胃癌患者术前血清VEGF,bFGF表达水平均明显高于健康体检者(YEGF：101．8±53．3 ng/L vs 16．1±22．5ng/L,P＜0．05；bFGF：152．9±42．7ng/L vs 25．0±11．4ng/L,P＜0．05)．胃癌患者术前血清VEGF,bFGF的表达水平均随胃癌的浸润深度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移、远处转移而增高(P＜0．05),而与年龄、性别及病理类型无关．胃癌组织VEGF的阳性表达率为71．2%,癌旁组织中VEGF均未见阳性表达,二者之间有显著性差异(X~2=32．1,P＜0．05)；胃癌组织中bFGF的阳性表达率为63．0%、癌旁组织中bFGF阳性表达率为(10%),二者之间亦有显著性差异(X~2=17．7,P＜0．05)．胃癌患者组织VEGF,bFGF的表达水平均与胃癌的浸润深度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移、远处转移有关(P＜0．05),而与年龄、性别及病理类型无关．胃癌患者血清VEGF的表达水平与血清bFGF的表达水平呈明显正相关(r=0．439,P＜0．01),胃癌患者组织VEGF的表达水平与组织bFGF的表达水平呈明显正相关(r=0．391,P＜0．01)；胃癌患者术前血清VEGF的表达水平与组织VEGF的表达呈正相关(r=0．346,P＜0．01),术前血清bFGF的表达水平与组织bFGF的表达呈正相关(r=0．304,P＜0．01),均有显著性差异．结论：VEGF,bFGF在胃癌的发生、发展、转移及预后起着重要的作用,有望成为胃癌术前诊断、术后随访、复发转移监测、评价抗血管生成药物疗效和化疗效果判定的新的肿瘤标志物．     

人脑胶质瘤中血管内皮细胞生长因子表达及其与细胞增殖的关系

为探讨人脑胶质瘤组织中血管内皮细胞生长因子 (VEGF)表达及其与细胞增殖的关系 ,应用链霉菌抗生物素蛋白 -过氧化物酶连接法 (SABC)免疫组织化学技术检测了 6 7例人脑胶质瘤、8例正常脑组织中 VEGF表达及增殖细胞核抗原 (PCNA)标记指数 (PCNA L I)。结果 VEGF在人脑胶质瘤组织中的阳性表达率为 83.6 %,正常脑组织中无表达 (P<0 .0 0 5 ) ;肿瘤组织中 VEGF表达与 PCNA L I呈显著正相关 (P<0 .0 0 5 )。认为胶质瘤细胞能分泌 VEGF,VEGF表达在肿瘤细胞增殖中起重要作用。