Vascular endothelial growth factor 165b expression in stromal cells and colorectal cancer

AIM:To characterize the implications of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-A in stromal cells and colorectal cancer and the expression of VEGF-A splice variants.METHODS:VEGF-A expression in tumor and stromal cells from 165 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer was examined by immunohistochemistry.The association between VEGF-A expression status and clinicopathological factors was investigated.Twenty freshfrozen samples were obtained for laser capture microdissection to analyze the splice variants of VEGF-A.RESULTS:VEGF-A was expressed in 53.9% and 42.4% of tumor and stromal cells,respectively.VEGF-A expression in tumor cells(t-VEGF-A) was associated with advanced clinical stage(stage 0,1/9;stage 1,2/16;stage 2,32/55;stage 3,38/66;stage 4,16/19,P < 0.0001).VEGF-A expression in stromal cells(s-VEGF-A) increased in the earlier clinical stage(stage 0,7/9;stage 1,6/16;stage 2,33/55;stage 3,22/66;stage 4,5/19;P = 0.004).Multivariate analyses for risk factors of recurrence showed that only s-VEGF-A expression was an independent risk factor for recurrence(relative risk 0.309,95% confidence interval 0.141-0.676,P = 0.0033).The five-year disease-free survival(DFS) rates of t-VEGF-A-positive and-negative cases were 51.4% and 62.9%,respectively.There was no significant difference in t-VEGF-A expression status.The five-year DFS rates of s-VEGF-A-positive and-negative cases were 73.8% and 39.9%,respectively.s-VEGFA-positive cases had significantly better survival than s-VEGF-A-negative cases(P = 0.0005).Splice variant analysis revealed that t-VEGF-A was mainly composed of VEGF165 and that s-VEGF-A included both VEGF165 and VEGF165b.In cases with no venous invasion(v0),the level of VEGF165b mRNA was significantly higher(v0 204.5 ± 122.7,v1 32.5 ± 36.7,v2 2.1 ± 1.7,P = 0.03).The microvessel density tended to be lower in cases with higher VEGF165b mRNA levels.CONCLUSION:s-VEGF-A appears be a good prognostic factor for colorectal cancer and includes VEGF165 and VEGF165b.

Lentiviral-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor 165 gene transfer into neural stem cells promotes proliferation

We constructed a lentiviral vector carrying vascular endothelial growth factor 165, which was used to transfect neural stem cells. The transfection rate was approximately 50%, as determined by flow cytometry. Vascular endothelial growth factor protein was detected in neural stem cells and promoted proliferation.

Targeted expression of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 in the hrDNA locus mediated by hrDNA targeting vector

Vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） is an angiogenic regulator that stimulates endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis. VEGF gene therapy is a new promising approach to induce therapeutic angiogenesis for the treatment of ischemic myocardial and limb diseases. Recently, clinical studies have demonstrated successful outcomes using plasmids, retroviruses and adenoviruses.l-3 But the safety of those vectors is poor, which has become a serious concern. Besides immunogenicity caused by viral vectors, a further problem is that viral vectors show a preference to integrate into the transcription or control region of active genes, which may induce tumors and other disorders.

Construction of recombinant adenovirus co-expression vector carrying the human transforming growth factor-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor genes and its effect on anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts

Background Remodeling of the anterior cruciate ligament （ACL） graft usually takes longer than expected. Gene therapy offers a radical different approach to remodeling of the graft. In this study, the internal ribosome entry site （IRES） sequence was used to construct a new recombinant adenovirus which permits co-expression of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGFβ1） and vascular endothelial growth factor 165 （VEGF165） genes （named Ad-VEGF165-IRES-TGFβ1）. We investigated the effects of the new adenovirus on the migration of and matrix synthesis by ACL fibroblasts. Methods Adenoviral vector containing TGFβ1 and VEGF165 genes was constructed. ACL fibroblasts were obtained from New Zealand white rabbits. After ACL fibroblasts were exposed to Ad-VEGF165-IRES-TGFβ1, the expression of VEGF165 and TGFβ1 proteins were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and Western blotting analysis. Bioassay of VEGF165 and TGFβ1 proteins were assessed by Western blotting analysis. Proliferation and migration of ACL fibroblasts were assessed by in vitro wound closure assay. Gene expression of collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ, and fibronectin mRNA among matrix markers were assessed by real-time PCR. Results The results showed the successful construction of a recombinant co-expression adenovirus vector containing TGFβ1 and VEGF165 genes. Co-expression of TGFβ1 and VEGF165 can induce relatively rapid and continuous proliferation of ACL fibroblasts and high gene expression of collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ, and fibronectin mRNA among matrix markers. Conclusion Co-expression of TGFβ1 and VEGF165 genes has more powerful and efficient effects on the migration of and matrix synthesis by ACL fibroblasts.