title: Expression of von Willebrand's factor, CD34, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor in uterine leiomyomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the vascular parameters of uterine leiomyomas and normal myometrium, to correlate these parameters with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and clinical/pathological parameters, and to compare vascular parameters according to the endothelial markers used.
  
  
  METHODS
  An immunohistochemical technique was applied to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples, using antibodies against von Willebrand's factor (FvW), CD34, CD31, and VEGF. The intratumoral vascular area (VA), microvessel density (MVD), and vascular luminal area (VLA) were determined with an image analyser.
  
  
  METHODS
  University teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with uterine leiomyomas underwent conservative surgery. Twenty leiomyoma-free patients undergoing hysterectomy were the controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical and morphometrical analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements of VA, MVD, and VLA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CD34 labeling showed decreased VA in myomas compared with myometrium. Decreased MVD and an increased VLA in myomas were found with FvW and CD34 labeling. The VA, MVD, and VLA were not related to VEGF expression or to clinical/pathological parameters. Similar results for VA and MVD were obtained with FvW and CD34 labeling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leiomyomas have a smaller vascular area, a lower microvessel density, and a higher vascular luminal area than normal myometrium.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France. c.poncelet@libertysurf.fr
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poncelet
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Madelenat
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Feldmann
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Emile
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Darai
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014841:von Willebrand Factor