ISSN:
1432-2307
Keywords:
Key words Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
;
Ethylnitrosourea (ENU)
;
Angiogenesis
;
Malignant astrocytoma
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic and vascular permeability factor, may be important as a mediator of brain tumour progression. However, it is still not clear whether VEGF plays a causative role in the early stage of glioma development. We investigated the relationship between VEGF protein expression (as assayed by immunohistochemistry) and different morphological parameters reflecting tumour progression (tumour diameter, vascular density and vascular diameter) in tumours at various stages. As a tumour model, ethylnitrosourea (ENU)-induced rat malignant astrocytoma was used. Tumours were classified by size and level of vascularity estimated by the von Willebrand factor (vWF) staining. Tumours less than 10 mm in diameter were designated early stage neoplastic lesions. All 34 early astroglial tumours were found to be VEGF positive. Increase in the VEGF immunopositive rate of tumour cells correlated significantly with increase in vascular density and vascular diameter. We suggest that VEGF induces angiogenesis and growth of microvessels, promoting growth of the early stage malignant astrocytoma.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004280050274
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