Expression of angiogenic growth factors in paragangliomas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if angiogenic growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) are expressed in human paragangliomas.


METHODS
A histopathologic and molecular examination of paraganglioma specimens obtained from surgical cases or retrieved from the Pathology Department of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.


METHODS
Fresh tumor or archival, paraffin-embedded paraganglioma specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and ELISA.


RESULTS
Positive immunohistochemical staining for VEGF was observed in five of nine surgical specimens and in six of eight archival specimens (11/17, or 65%). PD-ECGF immunoreactivity was detected in four of five surgical specimens and six of eight archival specimens (10/13, or 77%). The presence of PD-ECGF was confirmed by Western blot assay and ELISA confirmed the presence of VEGF in tumor extract.


CONCLUSIONS
Both VEGF and PD-ECGF are expressed in paragangliomas and may contribute to the extreme vascularity of these tumors. Key Words. Vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived, endothelial cell growth factor, hypoxia, tumor vasculature.
Jyung
R W
RW
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA. rjyung@flower.aud.temple.edu
LeClair
E E
EE
Bernat
R A
RA
Kang
T S
TS
Ung
F
F
McKenna
M J
MJ
Tuan
R S
RS
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001016:Aortic Bodies / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D002345:Carotid Body Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology*; D005925:Glomus Jugulare Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010234:Paraganglia, Nonchromaffin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010236:Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase