The expression pattern of vascular endothelial growth factor C and D in human esophageal normal mucosa, dysplasia and neoplasia.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and D (VEGF-D) are considered to be potentially lymphangiogenic and can selectively induce hyperplasia of the lymphatic vasculature. In this study, we examined the expression of VEGF-C and -D in esophageal carcinoma.


METHODS
With immunohistochemical staining using specific antibodies, we classified 26 esophageal carcinoma cases and 11 dysplasia cases.


RESULTS
All esophageal carcinomas clearly expressed VEGF-C. In esophageal dysplasia, 9 (82%) lcases were positive for VEGF-C, and 2 (18%) were negative. In contrast, none of the normal esophageal mucosa expressed VEGF-C. Seventeen (65%) of 26 cases of esophageal carcinoma were positively stained for VEGF-D and 7 (35%) were negative. VEGF-D was also positive in 2 (18%) cases of esophageal dysplasia, but in no cases of normal tissue. VEGF-C was detected in all carcinomas and dysplastic lesions that expressed VEGF-D.


CONCLUSIONS
Active production of VEGF-C and -D was observed not only in esophageal carcinomas but also in some dysplastic lesions. This finding raises the possibility that VEGF-C and -D might play positive roles in the early stage of esophageal carcinogenesis.
Ishikawa
Makoto
M
Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. makoto-ishi@umin.ac.jp
Kitayama
Joji
J
Kazama
Shinsuke
S
Nagawa
Hirokazu
H
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000032:analysis*; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C467486:VEGFC protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D