[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor (Flt-1) in breast carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (Flt-1) in breast carcinoma and the relationship of such expression with angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis.


METHODS
In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry technique were used to test the expression of mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and flt-1 in 48 specimens of breast carcinoma. 48 specimens of tissues near cancer, 3 specimens of fibroadenoma of breast, and 3 specimens of normal breast were used as controls.


RESULTS
VEGF mRNA and its protein were expressed highly in breast carcinoma cells with the positive rate of 75% and 70.8% respectively. There was almost no expression of VEGF in vascular endothelial cells. Flt-1 mRNA and its protein were expressed only in a small quantity in a few tumor cells. The amount of blood vessel positive in Fit-1 mRNA and its protein was (26 +/- 12) piece/0.72 mm(2) and (24 +/- 12) piece/0.72 mm(2) respectively. The microvascular density (MVD) was significantly greater in VEGF and Flt-1 higher expression groups than in lower groups (P < 0.01). Both VEGF expression and Flt-1 expression were well correlated with the histological grade and lymph node metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF promotes angiogenesis by paracrining in breast carcinoma, and takes part in tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis. Test of the expression of VEGF and Flt-1 may act as a reliable index to determine angiogenesis, malignancy, invasion and metastasis. Blocking their secretion and effect may act as a new treatment for breast carcinoma.
Department of Pathology, Basic Medical school, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
Hounan
H
Wu
Yulin
Y
Li
Guibin
G
Zhu
Lihong
L
Zhang
Xiuying
X
Zhang
Xu
X
He
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1