Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its cognate receptors in human pheochromocytomas.
Pheochromocytomas are well-vascularized tumors, suggesting that a potent angiogenic factor may be involved in the mechanism of their formation. As vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen for vascular endothelial cells, here we have investigated the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and the mRNA expression of its two receptors (Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR) in pheochromocytomas tissue. An increase in VEGF mRNA (mainly isoforms VEGF(121) and VEGF(165)) and in VEGF protein expression were observed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, compared to normal adrenomedullary tissue. Flk-1/KDR, and Flt-1 levels of mRNA were also increased markedly in tumors and correlated with levels of VEGF mRNA. Therefore, we speculate that upregulation of VEGF expression and its receptors might be important in the pathogenesis of pheochromocytomas.
Takekoshi
Kazuhiro
K
Department of Clinical Pathology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan. K-takemd@md.tsukuba.ac.jp
Isobe
Kazumasa
K
Yashiro
Tohru
T
Hara
Hisato
H
Ishii
Kiyoaki
K
Kawakami
Yasushi
Y
Nakai
Toshiaki
T
Okuda
Yukichi
Y
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D017931:DNA Primers; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2