Immature B cell malignancies synthesize VEGF, VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (KDR).
Expression of VEGF and VEGFR support a role for angiogenic pathways in the pathogenesis of some hematological malignances. Our goal was to determine if expression of these angiogenic molecules also extend to childhood precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL). We now show that transcripts of VEGF, and its receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 are concomitantly expressed in both ALL cell lines and primary pre-B ALL. Western blot and ELISA consistently detected VEGF protein in the supernatants of the cell lines. Similarly, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 proteins are also detectable by FACS analysis. Interestingly, the expression of the receptors in immature B cells is limited to the intra-cytoplasmic compartment and may suggest either internalization of the receptors or a block in trafficking of the receptor to the surface.
El-Obeid
Adila
A
King Fahad National Center for Children Cancer and Research, MBC 98-16, P.O. Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.
Sunnuqrut
Nadia
N
Hussain
Azhar
A
Al-Hussein
Khalid
K
Gutiérrez
Marina I
MI
Bhatia
Kishor
K
D019898:Autocrine Communication; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000473:pathology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D015452:Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2