Angiopoietin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human esophageal cancer.
Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) has been shown to act as an angiogenic promoter in embryonic angiogenesis by promoting vascular branching, pericyte recruitment and endothelial survival. Ang-1 expression has not been examined in human esophageal cancer. We examined Ang-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in tumors from 45 esophageal cancer patients who underwent surgical resection. Forty (88.9%) of the 45 esophageal cancers revealed Ang-1 gene expression. VEGF121, VEGF165 and VEGF189 isoforms were detected in 93.3 (42/45), 55.6 (25/45) and 26.7% (12/45) of the cases, respectively. Ang-1 gene expression was significantly correlated with VEGF121 and VEGF165 gene expression (P=0.0289 and P=0.0127, respectively, Fisher's test). The results suggest that Ang-1 is associated with neovascularization in the cancer stroma through VEGF net-works in esophageal cancer.
Nagata
Junko
J
Department of Pathology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Bohseidai, Isehara-shi, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
Kijima
Hiroshi
H
Hatanaka
Hiroyuki
H
Tokunaga
Tetsuji
T
Kamochi
Junichiro
J
Abe
Yoshiyuki
Y
Takagi
Atsushi
A
Mine
Tetsuya
T
Yamazaki
Hitoshi
H
Nakamura
Masato
M
Ueyama
Yoshito
Y
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D042683:Angiopoietin-1; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
C467630:ANGPT1 protein, human; D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D042683:Angiopoietin-1; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors