title: Tuberous sclerosis-associated lesions of the kidney, brain, and skin are angiogenic neoplasms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by the development of benign neoplasms of the brain, kidney, and skin. Progressive growth and malignant transformation of brain and kidney lesions constitute the major cause of morbidity and mortality in adults with tuberous sclerosis. In addition, growth of skin lesions may be disfiguring to patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine whether benign tumors in patients with tuberous sclerosis are angiogenic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brain, kidney, and skin tumors from patients with tuberous sclerosis were stained with CD31, a specific marker of vascular endothelium. In addition, we used Northern blot analysis to demonstrate that renal angiomyolipoma cells express the potent angiogenesis stimulator vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Brain, kidney, and skin neoplasms from patients with tuberous sclerosis are highly angiogenic. Renal angiomyolipoma cells produce the potent angiogenic factor VEGF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Benign neoplasms of patients with tuberous sclerosis are highly vascular. Our results provide a rationale for antiangiogenic therapy in the treatment and prevention of tuberous sclerosis-associated neoplasms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, WMB 5309, 1639 Pierce Street, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. jarbise@emory.edu
authors.forename: Jack L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Arbiser
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brat
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Jeanine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: D'Armiento
authors.forename: Elizabeth P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Henske
authors.forename: Zoya K
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Arbiser
authors.forename: Xianhe
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Sharon W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018322:Angiofibroma / Q000473:pathology*; D018207:Angiomyolipoma / Q000473:pathology*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors