Increased angiogenesis in the bone marrow of patients with systemic mastocytosis.
Recent data suggest that angiogenesis in the bone marrow (BM) is augmented and associated with growth of neoplastic cells in various hematological malignancies. Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a neoplasm affecting multilineage and mast cell (MC)-committed hemopoietic progenitors. In the present study, we have assessed the BM microvessel density (MVD) by CD34 immunohistochemistry in 21 patients with SM, 5 with cutaneous mastocytosis (no BM infiltrates), and 5 control cases (normal BM). The median BM MVD was significantly higher in SM compared to cutaneous mastocytosis or controls (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant correlation (r = 0.74) between the BM MVD and grade of MC infiltration (percent tryptase(+) BM infiltrates) was found in SM. Moreover, the MVD was higher in MC infiltrates compared to the nonaffected adjacent marrow (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in MC infiltrates. The notion that SM is associated with increased BM angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor expression may have implications for the biology of disease and development of new treatment strategies.
Wimazal
Friedrich
F
Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Jordan
John-Hendrik
JH
Sperr
Wolfgang R
WR
Chott
Andreas
A
Dabbass
Sana
S
Lechner
Klaus
K
Horny
Hans P
HP
Valent
Peter
P
D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000098:blood supply*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors