Jens-Ekkehard König1, Edina Tolnay2, Thorsten Wiethege1, Klaus-Michael Müller1
1Institute of Pathology, and German Mesothelioma Registry, University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, and
2Department of Pneumology, Semmelweis Medical School, Budapest, Hungary
Tóm tắt
<i>Background:</i> Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic protein with a selective mitogenic effect on endothelial cells known to be involved in many normal and pathological processes. Coexpression of VEGF and its receptor <i>flt-1</i> has been reported in different types of malignant tumors. <i>Objective:</i> In the present study we investigated the expression of VEGF and <i>flt-1</i> in 90 cases of diffuse malignant pleural mesotheliomas. <i>Methods:</i> VEGF and <i>flt-1</i> expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and non-radioactive in situ hybridization. <i>Results:</i> VEGF expression was visualized immunohistochemically in tumor cells. <i>flt-1</i> expression correlated with histological differentiation (p < 0.013). Furthermore, expression of <i>flt-1</i> was detected in tumor cells, macrophages and microvessels adjacent to tumor cells. VEGF and <i>flt-1</i> expression were confirmed by in situ hybridization. <i>Conclusion:</i> There was a statistically significant correlation between VEGF and <i>flt-1</i> expression (p < 0.001). The observed coexpression of VEGF and <i>flt-1</i> possibly suggests a potential autocrine loop for malignant pleural mesothelioma cells.
