Co-expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor flt-1 in malignant pleural mesothelioma.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic protein with a selective mitogenic effect on endothelial cells known to be involved in many normal and pathological processes. Coexpression of VEGF and its receptor flt-1 has been reported in different types of malignant tumors.


OBJECTIVE
In the present study we investigated the expression of VEGF and flt-1 in 90 cases of diffuse malignant pleural mesotheliomas.


METHODS
VEGF and flt-1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and non-radioactive in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
VEGF expression was visualized immunohistochemically in tumor cells. flt-1 expression correlated with histological differentiation (p < 0.013). Furthermore, expression of flt-1 was detected in tumor cells, macrophages and microvessels adjacent to tumor cells. VEGF and flt-1 expression were confirmed by in situ hybridization.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a statistically significant correlation between VEGF and flt-1 expression (p < 0.001). The observed coexpression of VEGF and flt-1 possibly suggests a potential autocrine loop for malignant pleural mesothelioma cells.
König
J
J
Institute of Pathology, and German Mesothelioma Registry, University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.
Tolnay
E
E
Wiethege
T
T
Müller
K
K
D000368:Aged; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor