[Expression and hypoxic regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in esophageal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the the expression and hypoxic regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9.


METHODS
VEGF mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 43 esophageal carcinoma specimens including 18 para-tumorous esophageal tissues. The expression of VEGF protein and mean microvessel density (MVD) in 56 specimens were examined by immunohistochemical stain. The effect of hypoxia on VEGF and MMP-9 expression in esophageal cancer cell lines was quantitatively determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
The VEGF expression in the tumorous tissue, being significantly correlated with MVD in the tumor, was remarkably higher than that in the para-tumorous tissue. VEGF and MVD expression in the tumor was significantly associated with stage and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma. The MMP-9 expression in the tumorous tissue, being uncorrelated with vessel count and clinicopathologic features in esophageal carcinoma, was significantly higher than that in the para-tumorous tissue. Hypoxia significantly increased the VEGF expression in esophageal cancer cell lines but did not affect the MMP-9 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of VEGF plays an important role in the angiogenesis and metastasis of esophageal cancer, which is regulated by hypoxia. VEGF may serve as a predictor of progression in esophageal carcinoma and a potential target for antiangiogenic therapy of esophageal carcinoma.
Guo
Wenzhong
W
Cancer Institute (Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Ran
Yuliang
Y
Wang
Guiqi
G
Liu
Jun
J
Yu
Long
L
Sun
Lixin
L
Yang
Zhihua
Z
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D010100:Oxygen