title: Vascular endothelial growth factor expression is increased in renal cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the expression of VEGF in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and normal kidney.
  
  
  METHODS
  RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed on tumour and normal adjacent kidney collected from 31 patients (29 RCC and 2 oncocytomas) as well as proliferating vascular endothelial cells (VEC) in culture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of 3 VEGF isoforms was detected in normal renal parenchyma and all ROC by RT-PCR, but was not apparent in proliferating VEC. In 27 RCC, Western blot analysis demonstrated 3-37 fold increases in VEGF expression when compared to normal parenchyma. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated VEGF staining of both tumour cells and adjacent vascular endothelium. Normal kidney showed no staining for VEGF. In the 2 remaining RCC and both oncocytomas VEGF was not increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VEGF expression is increased in RCC and may have a paracrine effect in these tumours in stimulating angiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicol
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Hii
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kennett
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gotley
mesh_terms: D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors