Integrin binding peptides facilitate growth and interconnected vascular-like network formation of rat primary cortical vascular endothelial cells in vitro

Neovascularization and angiogenesis in the brain are important physiological processes for normal brain development and repair/regeneration following insults. Integrins are cell surface adhesion receptors mediating important function of cells such as survival, growth and development during tissue organization, differentiation and organogenesis. In this study, we used an integrin-binding array platform to identify the important types of integrins and their binding peptides that facilitate adhesion, growth, development, and vascular-like network formation of rat primary brain microvascular endothelial cells. Brain microvascular endothelial cells were isolated from rat brain on post-natal day 7. Cells were cultured in a custom-designed integrin array system containing short synthetic peptides binding to 16 types of integrins commonly expressed on cells in vertebrates. After 7 days of culture, the brain microvascular endothelial cells were processed for immunostaining with markers for endothelial cells including von Willibrand factor and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule. 5-Bromo-2′-dexoyuridine was added to the culture at 48 hours prior to fixation to assess cell proliferation. Among 16 integrins tested, we found that α5β1, αvβ5 and αvβ8 greatly promoted proliferation of endothelial cells in culture. To investigate the effect of integrin-binding peptides in promoting neovascularization and angiogenesis, the binding peptides to the above three types of integrins were immobilized to our custom-designed hydrogel in three-dimensional(3 D) culture of brain microvascular endothelial cells with the addition of vascular endothelial growth factor. Following a 7-day 3 D culture, the culture was fixed and processed for double labeling of phalloidin with von Willibrand factor or platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule and assessed under confocal microscopy. In the 3 D culture in hydrogels conjugated with the integrin-binding peptide, brain microvascular endothelial cells formed interconnected vascular-like network with clearly discernable lumens, which is reminiscent of brain microvascular network in vivo. With the novel integrin-binding array system, we identified the specific types of integrins on brain microvascular endothelial cells that mediate cell adhesion and growth followed by functionalizing a 3 D hydrogel culture system using the binding peptides that specifically bind to the identified integrins, leading to robust growth and lumenized microvascular-like network formation of brain microvascular endothelial cells in 3 D culture. This technology can be used for in vitro and in vivo vascularization of transplants or brain lesions to promote brain tissue regeneration following neurological insults.

Apelin and vascular endothelial growth factor are associated with mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells after acute myocardial infarction

This study was designed to determine the levels of early endothelial progenitor cells （EPCs）, apelin, vascu- lar endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and stromal cell-derived growth factor-1 （SDF-1） after acute myocardial infarction （AMI）, and to investigate the relationships between these cytokines and early EPCs. Early EPCs, de- fined as CD133＋, KDR＋, and CD34~ cells, were quantified by flow cytometry. The levels of early EPCs and those cytokines in AMI patients were significantly different from those with coronary artery disease or controls （P 〈 0.05）. Plasma apelin levels were inversely correlated with Gensini score and early EPCs （both P 〈 0.01）. Early EPCs, VEGF and SDF-1 showed different patterns of changes in AMI patients during the first 24 h. The trend in the change of early EPCs was proportionally correlated with that of VEGF （P 〈 0.05）. AMI patients exhibited in- creased early EPCs with remarkably decreased apelin levels and enhanced VEGF levels.

The Effect of Simvastatin on mRNA Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β1,Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Tooth Extraction Socket

Aim To determine the effect of local simvastatin application on the mRNA expression level of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）, bone morphogenetic protein-2 （BMP-2） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in the tooth sockets of rat. Methodology Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups （n=24）. Polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid copolymer carriers, with or without simvastatin, were implanted into extraction sockets of right mandibular incisors. The expression of TGF-β1, BMP-2 and VEGF mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization in the tooth extraction socket at five days, one week, two weeks and four weeks after implantation. Results The fusiform stroma cells in the tooth extraction socket began to express TGF-β1, BMP-2 and VEGF mRNA in both experimental and control groups from one week after tooth extraction until the end of experiment. The expression of TGF-131 and BMP-2 mRNA in the experimental group was significantly up-regulated after one, two and four weeks, and expression of VEGF mRNA was significantly increased after one and two weeks compared with that in the control group. Conclusion The findings indicate that local administration of simvastatin can influence alveolar bone remodeling by regulating the expression of a school of growth factors which are crucial to osteogenesis in the tooth extraction socket.

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Its Relations to the Micrometastasis in Peripheral Blood

To examine the relationship between the levels of the serum vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and the micrometastasis of peripheral blood in patients with non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）, 108 NSCLC patients, including 40 patients with benign lung diseases and 30 healthy controls, were investigated. The serum VEGF levels were detected by ELISA and CK19 mRNA in peripheral blood by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. In NSCLC group, the serum VEGF levels and the positive rate of CK19 mRNA in peripheral blood were 479.8±268.5 pg/mL and 66.7%, which were significantly higher than those of the other two groups respectively （P〈0.01）, and both of them were increased significantly with the progression of clinical stage of the tumors （P〈0.01）. Serum VEGF levels as well as the positive rate of CK19 mRNA in different pathological types of lung cancer had no significant differences （P〉0.05）. Serum VEGF levels in the patients positive for CK19 mRNA was 561.7±325.6 pg/mL. It is significantly higher than that in the negative patients （P〈0.01）. There existed a significant correlation between serum VEGF levels and expression of CK19 mRNA in peripheral blood in NSCLC patients （P〈0.001）. The detection of serum VEGF levels and CK19 mRNA in peripheral blood is helpful in judging the condition and the prognosis of NSCLC patients, and serum VEGF levels and CK19 mRNA are independent of the pathological types of lung cancer. The micrometastasis in peripheral blood of NSCLC patients is significantly associated with serum VEGF levels.

STI571 (Glivec) suppresses the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the gastrointestinal stromal tumor cell line,GIST-T1

AIM:To estimate whether STI571 inhibits the expressionof vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in thegastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)cells.METHODS:We used GIST cell line,GIST-T1.It hasa heterogenic 57-bp deletion in exon 11 to produce amutated c-KIT,which results in constitutive activationof c-KIT.Cells were treated with/without STI571 orstem cell factor(SCF).Transcription and expression ofVEGF were determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometryor Western blotting,respectively.Activated c-KIT wasestimated by immunoprecipitation analysis.Cell viabilitywas determined by MTT assay.RESULTS:Activation of c-KIT was inhibited bySTI571 treatment.VEGF was suppressed at both thetranscriptional and translational levels in a temporal anddose-dependent manner by STI571.SCF upregulatedthe expression of VEGF and it was inhibited by STI571.STI571 also reduced the cell viability of the GIST-T1cells,as determined by MTT assay.CONCLUSION:Activation of c-KIT in the GIST-T1regulated the expression of VEGF and it was inhibited bySTI571.STI571 has antitumor effects on the GIST cellswith respect to not only the inhibition of cell growth,butalso the suppression of VEGF expression.

A fusion protein containing murine vascular endothelial growth factor and tissue factor induces thrombogenesis and suppression of tumor growth in a colon carcinoma model

Induction of tumor vasculature occlusion by targeting a thrombogen to newly formed blood vessels in tumor tissues represents an intriguing approach to the eradication of primary solid tumors. In the current study, we construct and express a fusion protein containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tissue factor (TF) to explore whether this fusion protein has the capability of inhibiting tumor growth in a colon carcinoma model. The murine cDNA of VEGF A and TF were amplified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and then cloned into prokaryotic expression plasmid pQE30 with a linker. The expression product recombinant VEGF-TF (rVEGF-TF) was purified and proved to have comparable enzyme activity to a commercial TF and the capability of specific binding to tumor vessels. Significant decrease of tumor growth was found in the mice administered with rVEGF-TF on Day 6 after initiated rVEGF-TF treatment (P<0.05), and the tumor masses in 2 of 10 mice were almost disappeared on Day 14 after the first treatment. In addition, valid thrombogenesis and tumor necrosis were observed in the tumor tissues injected with rVEGF-TF. Our results demonstrate that occlusion of tumor vasculature with rVEGF-TF is potentially an effective approach for cancer therapy.

Interleukin-1α, 6 regulate the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor A, C in pancreatic cancer

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, namely VEGF-A) is an angiogenic polypeptide and VEGF-C is a lymphangiogenic polypeptide that has been implicated in cancer growth, invasion and metastasis. Several cytokines and growth factors play an important part in cancer progression. These cytokines and growth factors are the principal mediators of cancer cells-stromal cell interaction , which is critical for invasion of cancer cells to the surrounding tissues and metastatic dissemination to distant organs. In this study, we studied VEGF-A, C expression in cultured human pancreatic cancer cell lines and whether the presence of VEGF-A, C in the cell lines is regulated by cytokines interleukin-lct (EL-1α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). METHODS: We used Northern blot and Western blot methods to analyze expression of the gene and protein of VEGF-A, C in all 6 tested cell lines (ASPC-1, CAPAN-1, MIA-PaCa-2, PANC-1, COLO-357 and T3M4) respectively. To analyze what is the regulator for this VEGF-A, C expression in pancreatic cancer,we used the reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method to analyze VEGF-A, C expression in cultured human pancreatic cancer cell lines (CAPAN-1 and COLO-357) under the stimulation with IL-1α (10μg/L) or IL-6 (100 μg/L). RESULTS:Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of the 4.1-kb VEGF-A mRNA transcript and 2.4-kb VEGF-C mRNA transcript in all 6 tested cell lines. Immunoblotting with highly specific anti-VEGF-A, anti-VEGF-C antibody revealed the presence of a molecular weight of 43-kDa VEGF-A protein and 55-kDa VEGF-C protein in all the cell lines. RT-PCR analysis revealed the levels of the VEGF-A and VEGF-C gene were 1-2 fold and a 1-fold increase in the COLO-357 cell line by stimulation with IL-la, however, no effect was found in the CAPAN-1 cell line. The levels of the VEGF-A and VEGF-C gene were 2-5 fold and a 1-fold increase in the CAPAN-1 cell line by stimulation with IL-6, but, no effect was found in the COLO-357 cell line. CONCLUSION:These findings suggested that the expression of VEGF-A, C and their regulation by IL-1α, IL-6 in pancreatic cancer contributes to the lymphatic and distant metastasis and the disease progression.

Evaluation of Serum and Aqueous Humor Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Neovascular Glaucoma

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate and correlate between the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum and aqueous humor in cases of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) to stand up on if it can be used as a marker for early detection of such cases. Methods: This observational case control study included 60 eyes, divided into 3 groups, group A of 30 eyes presented by cataract of different causes (not diabetic patients and no signs of NVG) as a control group and group B of 30 eyes with NVG due to different causes, group C of the same eyes in group B but after one month of treatment by intravitreal bevacizumab and laser treatment by pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP). Serum VEGF was estimated in all groups, also aqueous humor VEGF was estimated in group A and B only. In addition glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was estimated in group B;statistical analysis of the results was performed. Results: The study revealed that the commonest cause of NVG was proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in 26 cases (86.7%), HbA1c in group B revealed mean value 7.68% ± 2.75%. Serum VEFG level in the group B of cases of NVG was significantly higher than the control group A (P 0.05). Conclusions: VEGF is considered a good marker for the NVG either in serum or aqueous humor, laser treatment and the use of anti-VEGF are crucial treatment for such cases, and also glycemic control is a must for regulation of the vascular process in diabetic patients for prevention of such ocular neovascularization.

Vascular endothelial growth factor induced angiogenesis following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits

BACKGROUND： Therapeutic angiogenesis has opened up new pathway for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease in recent years. The exploration of the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） on inducing angiogenesis following ischemia/reperfusion injury can provide better help for the long-term treatment of cerebrovascular disease in clinic. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of VEGF on inducing angiogenesis following focal cerebral ischemia /reperfusion injury in rabbits through the angiogenesis of microvessels reflected by the expression of the factors of vascular pseudohemophilia. DESIGN： A randomized controlled animal tria SETTNG： Department of Medical Imaging, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University MATERIALS： Sixty-five healthy male New Zealand rabbits of clean degree, weighing （2.6±0.2） kg, aged 4.5-5 months, were used. The polyclonal antibody against vascular pseudohemophilia （Beijing Zhongshan Company）, recombinant VEGF165 （Peprotech Company, USA）, biotinylated second antibody and ABC compound （Wuhan Boster Company） were applied. METHODS： The experiments were carried out in the Laboratory of Neuromolecular Imaging and Neuropathy, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May to August in 2005. （1） The rabbits were randomly divided into three groups： sham-operated group （n=15）, control group （n=25） and VEGF-treated group （n=-25）. In the control group and VEGF-treated group, models were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） induced focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. In the VEGF-treated group, VEGF165 （2.5 mg/L） was stereotactically injected into the surrounding regions of the infarcted sites immediately after the 2-hour ischemia/reperfusion; Saline of the same dosage was injected in the control group. But the rabbits in the sham-operated group were only drilled but not administrated. （2） The experimental indexes were observed on the 3^rd 7^th, 14^th, 28^th and 70^th days of the experiment respectively, 3 rabbits in the sham-operated group and 5 in the control group and VEGF-treated group were observed at each time point. The brain tissues in the surrounding regions of the infarcted sites were collected. The positive expressions of the factors of vascular pseudohemophilia in vascular endothelial cells were analyzed with immunohistochemical method. The microvessels in unit statistical field were counted with the imaging analytical software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The changes of microvascular density in the brain tissue and the positive expressions of the factors of vascular pseudohemophilia in the surrounding regions of the infarcted sites were observed on the 3^rd 7^th, 14^th, 28^th and 70^th days of the experiment. RESULTS： All the 65 New Zealand rabbits were involved in the analysis of results without deletion. Changes of the number of microvessels at different time points in each group： There were no obvious changes at different time points in the sham-operated group. The numbers of microvessels at 7 and 14 days were obviously more in the control group than in the sham-operated group [（6.0±1.1）, （9.0±0.9） microvessels; （3.0±1.1）, （3.0±1.1） microvessels; P〈 0.05-0.01], and those at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days were obviously more in the VEGF-treated group than in the control group [（8.3±2.0）, （13.4±1.4）, （15.5±2.3）, （6.8± 1.0） microvessels; （3.4±0.6）, （6.0±1.1）, （9.0±0.9）, （3.2±0.8） microvessels; P 〈 0.01]. （2） Positive expressions of the factors of vascular pseudohemophilia in the surrounding regions of infarcted sites： There were no obvious changes at different time points in the sham-operated group. In the control group, the changing law of the expressions was the same as that for the number of microvessels that the expression began to mildly increase at 7 days, reached the peak value at 14 days, and began to reduce at 28 days. In the VEGF-treated group, the expression was obviously increased at 3 days, also reached the peak value at 14 days, and reduced to the normal level at 70 days, but the expressions were obviously stronger than those in the control group at the same time points. CONCLUSION： Angiogenesis can be obviously induced in rabbits after the focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury is treated with VEGF for 18 days.

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression and significance in different grades of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System

Objective Mammography is the only modality proven to reduce mortality in breast cancer,and ultrasonography is a well-known adjunct to mammography screening.The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System(BI-RADS) classification is a practical tool and is correlated with histopathology and combined use with triple assessment(examination,imaging,and biopsy) of palpable diagnostic cases.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) expression and different grades of BI-RADS in breast cancer.Methods Ninety-six patients with breast carcinoma were evaluated using BI-RADS by ultrasonography,mammography,and a combination of both modalities.In the combined imaging assessment,BI-RADS 1-4a grade was considered when the score of ultrasonography and mammography was lower than 4a,and BI-RADS 4b-5a grade was considered when the score of ultrasonography and mammography was higher than 4a.Immunohistochemical Ultra SensitiveTM S-P method was employed to evaluate the expression of VEGF in 96 patients.Fifty patients with benign breast disease were selected as the control group.The relationship between VEGF expression and different grades of BI-RADS and that between VEGF expression and other standard prognostic parameters associated with invasive breast cancer,such as size,grade,cancer stage,and metastasis were analyzed.Results The sensitivities of ultrasonography and mammography alone was 74.0% and 84.4%,respectively;However,the sensitivity of their combination increased to 90.6%.The positive rates of VEGF in invasive breast cancer BI-RADS 4b-5(59/87,67.8%) were higher than those in BI-RADS 4a(3/9,33.3%,P<0.05) and benign breast disease tissues(BI-RADS 1-4a,11/50,22.0%)(P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between VEGF overexpression and BI-RADS 4b-5,histological grade(Ⅲ),lymph node metastasis,and distant metastasis of invasive breast cancer.VEGF expression was not related to the age and size of the tumor in each group(P>0.05).Conclusion There was a positive correlation between VEGF overexpression and BI-RADS 4b-5 grade.The overexpression of VEGF might be an important biological marker for the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer.

Variations in vascular endothelial growth factor levels during ovarian superovulation and reduction of ovarian hyperstimulation incidence in young women: A prospective study

Variations in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) levels were prospectively evaluated in 18 young women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments according to the “Long Protocol” and a typical pattern of VEGF levels was recorded. A significant increase in VEGF concentrations was observed only when the follicles reached a mean diameter of 15.3 mm in concurrence with mature oocyte retrieval. Since an increase in VEGF levels is related to follicular vascularity and oocyte developpment, our study supports the approach that oocyte retrieval may be performed when follicles > 15 mm in diameter appear. Anticipating egg retrieval in young patients with an optimal ovarian reserve may decrease the incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation, without compromising the treatment results.

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 in Ovarian Epithelial Tumors

Objective： To explore the role of vascular endothelial growth factor-C （VEGF-C） in the process of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in epithelial ovarian tumors. Methods： In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining for VEGF-C were performed in 30 epithelial ovarian carcinomas, 9 borderline tumors and 26 benign tumors. Endothelial cells were immunostained with anti-VEGFR-3 pAb and anti-CD31 mAb, and VEGFR-3 positive vessels and microvessel density （MVD） were assessed by image analysis. Results： VEGF-C mRNA and protein expression were detected in cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. VEGF-C mRNA and protein expression in ovarian epithelial carcinomas were significantly higher than those in borderline tumors and benign tumors （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. In ovarian epithelial carcinomas, VEGF-C protein expression, VEGFR-3 positive vessels and MVD were significantly higher in the cases of clinical stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ and with lymph node metastasis than those of clinical stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ and without lymph node metastasis respectively （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. VEGFR-3 positive vessels and MVD were significantly higher in VEGF-C protein positive tumors than negative tumors （P〈0.05）. VEGFR-3 positive vessels was significantly correlated with MVD（P〈0.01）. Conclusion： VEGF-C might play a role in lymphatic metastasis via lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in epithelial ovarian tumors, and VBEGF-C could be used as a biologic marker of metastasis in ovarian epithelial tumors.

The predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor and Ki-67 expression on neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer

调查脉管的内皮生长因素(VEGF ) 和增殖的房间的表情的目的在有直肠的腺癌的病人和他们有 neoadjuvant 的协会的原子抗原(Ki-67 ) 治疗。方法包括两预告的处理肿瘤活体检视和手术后的标本，在直肠的腺癌的 32 种情况中的 Ki-67 和 VEGF 的表情被免疫组织化学用特定的抗体检测，并且与 clinicopathological 因素被相关。结果染色的 VEGF 的紧张显著地与淋巴被相关节的转移( P = 0.033 )，肿瘤侵略的深度( P = 0.007 )并且肿瘤舞台( P = 0.016 )，然而并非与组织学的类型，肿瘤尺寸，病人的年龄和性( P 】 0.05 )。VEGF 表示的底层与对 neoadjuvant 治疗的反应的高敏感有重要关联(P = 0.016 ) 。VEGF 表示的短暂增加能在 neoadjuvant 治疗以后被看见(P = 0.035 ) 。把索引(Ki-67-LI ) 标记的 Ki-67 显著地与淋巴节点转移被相关(P = 0.028 ) ，然而并非相关到肿瘤尺寸，病人的年龄和性(P 】 0.05 ) 。有更低的 Ki-67-LI 的肿瘤对 neoadjuvant 治疗更敏感(P = 0.032 ) 。Ki-67 水平在 neoadjuvant 治疗以后减少了，但是没有统计意义被发现 P 】 0.05 ) 。我们的结果表明的结论在预告的处理的 VEGF 和 Ki-67 的表示直肠的腺癌活体检视可能对 neoadjuvant 的肿瘤反应是预兆的治疗。

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)is a proliferative disorder of the developing retina in premature and low birth weight infants.Recently,the role of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the pathophysiology of ROP has been well studied and anti-VEGF drugs have been used in phase 2 to treat ROP patients in many ways.At first,ophthalmologists began to give intravitreal bevacizumab(IVB)or ranibizumab off-label to treat ROP as a salvage treatment after failure in laser photocoagulation or in combination with laser as an adjuvant treatment for patients had media opacity or rigid pupil.Now anti-VEGF drugs are also used as monotherapy in type I ROP or perioperative use in stage 4/5 ROP.Questions remain regarding long-term safety,dose,timing,visual outcomes and long-term effects,including systemically.

Regulation Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Human Fetal Choroid Vascularization

Purpose:To investigate the spatial and temporal regulation effect of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)on human fetal choroid vascularization.Methods:The eyeballs of 54human fetuses from the 9th week to the40th week due to accidental abortion were studied by immunohistochemically staining for the expression of VEGF and proliferation cell nuclear antigen(PCNA).Results:(1)The distribution of VEGF expression in the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)decreased with the increase of age,the peak of which was between the 9th and 14th week,(2)PCNAimmunoreactivity was localized within choriocapillaris endothe-lium,THe expression level decreased alone with fetus age,In this period the chori-ocapillaris endothelium kept proliferation,differentiation.canalization and remodelled to form the choroid vessels.(3)Statistically significant correlations were shown between the expression of VEGF in the PRE and that of PCNAin choriocapillaris endothelium(r=0.933,P<0.01).Conclusion:VEGF expression in PRE was positively involved in modulating human fetal choroid vascularization.Eye Science2000;16:11-14.

Rhizoma Chuanxiong regulates vascular endothelial growth factor production in hypoxic human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro and in peri-infarct rat brain tissue

BACKGROUND： Vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） acts as ＂molecular bridge＂ following ischemic stroke to improve and restore blood supply and reduce infarction volume. Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Rhizoma Chuanxiong （Chuanxiong） in the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. However, whether it promotes endogenous VEGF expression in ischemic stroke remains unknown. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the influence of Rhizoma Chuanxiong on VEGF production in vitro cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and on VEGF expression in ischemic cerebral tissues to explore its role in angiogenesis. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： In vitro basic comparison of traditional Chinese drug-containing serum pharmacology; in vivo randomized, controlled, animal experiment. This study was performed at the Medical Laboratory of West China Hospital, Sichuan University between December 2002 and April 2004. MATERIALS： Two Chinese rabbits were selected. One was intragastrically perfused with 5.8 g/kg Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract twice per day for three consecutive days to prepare Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract-containing serum. The remaining rabbit was intragastrically perfused with the same volume of normal saline twice per day for three consecutive days. Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract was provided by Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, predominantly composed of ligustrazine, ligustilide, and ferulic acid. ChemiKineTM human VEGF Kit was purchased from Chemicon, USA; mouse anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody and biotin-goat anti-mouse IgG were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology. Inc., USA. METHODS： （1） In vitro experiment： in vitro cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were separately incubated in rabbit serum with 10% Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract, normal medium without rabbit serum, and rabbit serum without Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract （blank control）. In addition, cells from the three groups were incubated under normoxia （5% CO2, 95% air） and hypoxia （1% 02, 5% CO2, 94% N2）, respectively, for 24 hours. （2） In vivo experiment： a total of 4/44 Sprague Dawley rats were selected for the sham-operated group （no occlusion）, and the remaining rats were used to establish a cerebral ischemiaJreperfusion model by suture occlusion. 32 animals with ischemia/reperfusion injury were randomly divided into treatment and model groups, with 16 rats in each group. Both groups were intraperitoneally infused with 0.58 g/kg Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract and normal saline two hours following reperfusion. The sham-operated group was administrated normal saline. Animals were treated with saline or Chuanxiong extracts （0.58 g/kg） twice per day for three consecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： In vitro experiment： VEGF concentration was detected in each group by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vivo experiment： behavioral alterations of rats were evaluated by neurological function scale; infarct volume was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining; VEGF protein expression in the infarct regions was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： （1） VEGF levels were similar between the three groups under normexic condition （P 〉 0.05）; while hypoxia induced VEGF production （P 〈 0.01 ）. VEGF levels in the drug-containing serum group were particularly higher compared with the other groups （P 〈 0.01）. （2） Compared with normal saline treatment, Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract significantly improved the neurological scale and reduced cerebral infarct volumes （P〈 0.05）. The percent of VEGF-positive cells was significantly greater than the model group （P 〈 0.05）. The sham-operated group exhibited normal neurological function, with no infarct focus. CONCLUSION： Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract-containing rabbit serum effectively promoted cultured VEGF production under hypoxia. Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract upregulated VEGF expression in the infarct region, improved neurological function, and reduced infarct size.

Glutamate enhances the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in cultured SD rat astrocytes

Objective To study the effect of glutamate on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein in cultured rat astrocytes. Methods Cultured rat astrocytes were randomly divided into 6 groups:control group (C),glutamate group (G),QA group (Q),DCG-IV group (D),L-AP4 group (L) and glutamate+MCPG group (G+M). Cells were cultured under nomoxic condition (95% air,5% CO2). RT-PCR and ELISA methods were used to detect the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in cultured astrocytes,respectively. G+M group was preincubated with 1mM MCPG for 30 min prior to the stimulation with glutamate. There were 7 time points at 0,4,8,12,16,24 and 48 h in each group except G+M group. Results The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein did not differ significantly among D group,L group and C group. Different from that in C group,the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein could be enhanced both in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in G group and Q group. Meanwhile,the enhanced expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in G group was completely suppressed by MCPG after 24 h. Conclusion Glutamate can increase the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in cultured astrocytes,which may be due to the activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in astrocytes.

EXPRESSION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR AND BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR IN HUMAN NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER AND THEIR CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Objective: To explore the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and theIR clinical significance. Methods: The expression of VEGF and bFGF was examined at the protein levels by immunohistochemical staining in 96 NSCLC patients, and in 36 of which at the mRNA levels by reverse transcription-PCR analysis. Results: VEGF mRNAs were expressed predominately as its secretory forms (VEGF121 and VEGF165) in NSCLC tissues. The positive ratios of VEGF121 and VEGF165 were 69.5%(25 of 36) and 41.7%(15 of 36) respectively. The positive ratio of bFGF was 52.8(19 of 36) in the same tumor specimens. The positive ratios of VEGF and bFGF at protein levels were 55.55%(20 of 36) and 58.33%(21 of 36) respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between VEGF and bFGF expression in NSCLC tissues(P=0.002). No significant interrelationship between VEGF, bFGF expression and clinical data(age, sex, histological subtype differentiation, P-stage, metastasis and survival) was found. Conclusions: VEGF and bFGF may play an important role in angiogenesis and act in a synergistic manner in NSCLC.

Regulation effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on vascularization and angiogenesis in developmental human fetal retinas

目的 :研究血管内皮生长因子 ( Vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF)对人胚胎视网膜血管发生的调节作用。方法 :收集 54例 9～ 4 0周龄胎儿眼球后壁标本 ,免疫组织化学染色 ,光镜观察。结果 :1VEGF在视网膜的表达呈波峰式分布 ,高峰在 9～ 13周及 2 6周左右。 2节细胞层的梭形细胞(血管内皮细胞前体细胞 )、血管内皮细胞呈增殖细胞核抗原 ( Proliferation cell nucelear antigen,PCNA)免疫反应阳性 ,水平波动 ,高峰在 9～ 13周及 2 1周前后 ,此期间梭形细胞不断增殖、分化形成内皮细胞索 ,经改建形成视网膜内层血管 ,2 6、34周起见内核层内、外缘血管内皮细胞呈 PCNA免疫反应阳性 ,并保持至足月。 3视网膜 VEGF表达量与梭形细胞、血管内皮细胞 PCNA表达量呈显著正相关( r=0 .736,P<0 .0 1)。结论

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C and Its Clinical Significance in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C(VEGF-C)in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC), and to clarify its role in lymphatic metastasis in ESCC patients. METHODS Esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cel s and samples from 49 patients with primary ESCC were investigated by using S-P immunohisto- chemistry(IHC),the semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and in situ hybridization(ISH)methods for VEGF-C expression. RESULTS VEGF-C positive expression was found in EC9706 cells through IHC,ISH and RT-PCR.Positive IHC for VEGF-C was observed in 36 of 49 cases of ESCC.There was a significant difference between the expres- sion of VEGF-C in a lymph-node-positive group compared to a node-nega- tive group(χ2=4.7,P<0.05).Positive ISH for VEGF-C mRNA was observed in 23 of 49 cases of ESCC.There was a significant difference between the expression of VEGF-C in the lymph-node-positive group and node-negative group(χ2=31.3,P<0.01).The expression of VEGF-C was significantly higher in the lymph-node-positive group compared to the node-negative group.Of 49 ESCC tissues,RT-PCR for VEGF-C mRNA was observed positively in 29 cases.There was a significant difference between the expression of VEGF-C in the lymph-node-positive group and node-negative group(χ2=23.3, P<0.01).The expression of VEGF-C was significantly higher in the lymph- node-positive group compared to the node-negative group.Expressions of VEGF-C were not significantly associated with age,gender,and pathological grade.There was a relationship between VEGF-C mRNA expressions by RT-PCR and ISH(χ2=18.5,P<0.01)in ESCC cases,but with no significant difference between the two methods. CONCLUSION VEGF-C expression may induce lymphangiogenesis in human ESCC.There was a close correlation between VEGF-C expression and lymph node metastasis.VEGF-C can serve as a useful prognostic factor for ESCC patients.