TGF beta1 expression and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer tissue.
OBJECTIVE
Transforming growth factor TGF beta1 is involved in a variety of important cellular functions,including cell growth and differentiation, angiogenesis, immune function and extracellular matrix formation. However, the role of TGF beta(1) as an angiogenic factor in colorectal cancer is still unclear. We investigate the relationship between transforming growth factor beta(1) and angiogenesis by analyzing the expression of transforming growth factor TGF beta(1) in colorectal cancer, as well as its association with VEGF and MVD.


METHODS
The expression of TGF beta(1),VEGF, as well as MVD were detected in 98 colorectal cancer by immunohistochemical staining. The relationship between the TGF beta(1) expression and VEGF expression,MVD was evaluated. To evaluate the effect of TGF beta(1) on the angiogenesis of colorectal cancers.


RESULTS
Among 98 cases of colorectal cancer,37 were positive for TGF beta(1) 37.8% 36 for VEGF 36.7% respectively. The microvessel counts ranged from 19 to 139.8, with a mean of 48.7(standard deviation,21.8). The expression of TGF beta(1) was correlated significantly with the depth of invasion, stage of disease, lymph node metastasis, VEGF expression and MVD. Patients in T3-T4, stage III-IV and with lymph node metastasis had much higher expression of TGF beta(1) than patients in T1-T2, stage I-II and without lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The positive expression rate of VEGF(58.3%) in the TGF-beta(1) positive group is higher than that in the TGF-beta(1) negative group(41.7%, P<0.05). Also, the microvessel count (54+/-18) in TGF-beta(1) positive group is significantly higher than that in TGF-beta(1) negative group(46+/-15, P<0.05). The microvessel count in tumors with both TGF-beta(1) and VEGF positive were the highest (58+/-20 36-140, P<0.05). Whereas that in tumors with both TGF-beta(1) and VEGF negative were the lowest (38+/-16, 19-60, P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
TGF beta(1) might be associated with tumor progression by modulating the angiogenesis in colorectal cancer and TGF beta(1) may be used as a possible biomarker.
Xiong
Bin
B
Department of Oncology, Affiliated Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University  Wuhan 430071,Hubei,Provice,China. xbxh@public.wh.hb.cn
Gong
Ling-Ling
LL
Zhang
Feng
F
Hu
Ming-Bo
MB
Yuan
Hong-Yin
HY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors