title: Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its cognate receptors in human pheochromocytomas.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takekoshi
authors.forename: Kazumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Isobe
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yashiro
authors.forename: Hisato
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Kiyoaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawakami
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakai
authors.forename: Yukichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okuda
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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