[Correlation between expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C in tumor-associated macrophages and lymphatic metastasis in oral cancer].
OBJECTIVE
Previous study shows that both vascular endothelial growth-C (VEGF-C) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are related to lymphatic metastasis. This study aimed to explore the correlation between the expression of VEGF-C in TAMs and lymphatic metastasis in human oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC).


METHODS
After immunohistochemical staining, light microscope was used for counting macrophages and automated image analysis quantification was used to determine VEGF-C expression,which was reflected by positive index (PI). In addition,the double staining was also used to determine VEGF-C expression in TAMs.


RESULTS
VEGF-C expression was higher in lymphatic metastasis group (PI=12.169+/-2.778) than in no-metastasis group (PI=8.498+/-2.674, P< 0.05). TAMs counts was related to VEGF-C expression in OSCC (r=0.370, P< 0.05). The result of double staining indicated that macrophage with positive VEGF-C expression accounted for about 22.8% of the total.


CONCLUSIONS
Not only tumor cells but also TAMs secrete the VEGF-C in OSCC, and TAMs may play a major role in peritumoral lymphatic neoangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis.
Feng
Hong-Chao
HC
Department of Oral and Maxillary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550004, PR China.
Song
Yu-Feng
YF
Wen
Yu-Ming
YM
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000032:analysis*; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule