Expression of vascular permeability factor (VPF/VEGF) is altered in many glomerular diseases.
Vascular permeability factor (VPF), also known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is a potent enhancer of microvascular permeability and a selective endothelial cell growth factor. In normal human kidney, VPF/VEGF mRNA and protein are strongly expressed by visceral glomerular epithelial cells, and VPF/VEGF may be an important regulator of glomerular endothelial cell function. This study examined 47 renal biopsies from patients with a variety of glomerular diseases for expression of VPF/VEGF mRNA and protein by in situ hybridization and immunohisto-chemistry. In many glomerular diseases, VPF/VEGF-expressing cells were decreased in number or absent in areas of focal or global glomerular sclerosis. Decreased numbers of VPF/VEGF-expressing cells in glomeruli were also noted in amyloidosis, diabetes, crescentic glomerulonephritis, and diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Normally, release of VPF/ VEGF must be under strict control because it is some 50,000 times more potent than histamine as an inducer of microvascular permeability. Damage to visceral epithelial cells in a variety of glomerular diseases has the potential for releasing relatively large amounts of VPF/VEGF locally, leading to increased glomerular permeability. In addition, because VPF/ VEGF is also an endothelial growth factor, the loss of normal, controlled secretion of VPF/VEGF after damage to visceral epithelial cells could lead to important alterations in glomerular endothelial cell function.
Shulman
K
K
Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Rosen
S
S
Tognazzi
K
K
Manseau
E J
EJ
Brown
L F
LF
D002199:Capillary Permeability; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors