Significance of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor in the angiogenesis of human gastric cancer.
We have previously shown that platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is associated with angiogenesis of human colon cancer; this factor is expressed at high levels in vascular tumors that express low levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In these colon cancers, the major source of PD-ECGF is the infiltrating cells. In this study, we examined the role of PD-ECGF in the angiogenesis of human gastric cancer. Immunostaining for PD-ECGF was done on 93 gastric cancers previously stained for VEGF, basic fibroblast growth factor, and factor VIII-related antigen (specific for endothelial cells). To determine the cell type expressing PD-ECGF, double staining was done using antibodies to both PD-ECGF and CD68 (specific for macrophages). PD-ECGF was expressed more frequently in infiltrating cells (positive CD68 staining; 53.8%) than in tumor epithelium (9.7%; P < 0.0001). Infiltrating cells simultaneously stained positive for both PD-ECGF and CD68. An association between PD-ECGF expression in infiltrating cells, VEGF expression in tumor epithelium, and vessel count was observed in intestinal-type gastric cancer but not in diffuse-type gastric cancer. Vessel count was greater in tumors with high expression of both PD-ECGF and VEGF than in those with high expression of either factor alone (P = 0.002). Multiple angiogenic factors expressed by both tumor cells and infiltrating cells may play a role in the regulation of angiogenesis in intestinal-type gastric cancer.
Takahashi
Y
Y
Department of Surgical Oncology, Kanazawa University, Japan.
Bucana
C D
CD
Akagi
Y
Y
Liu
W
W
Cleary
K R
KR
Mai
M
M
Ellis
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase