Pleurodesis is inhibited by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody.
OBJECTIVE
The intrapleural injection of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2 produces pleurodesis in rabbits associated with large pleural effusions. This study investigated whether anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody has any effect on the fluid production or the pleurodesis induced by TGF-beta2.


METHODS
Three groups of seven New Zealand white rabbits were administered TGF-beta2 5.0 microg intrapleurally. Two groups received anti-VEGF antibody (10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg) IV 24 h before TGF-beta2 injection, and the third group received no antibody. The rabbits were killed at 2 weeks, and the macroscopic pleurodesis score was determined. The degree of pleural angiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII.


RESULTS
The administration of anti-VEGF antibodies had no significant effect on the pleural fluid volume or the characteristics of the fluid. The mean pleurodesis score of the seven rabbits in the control group (7.71 +/- 0.76) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that for seven rabbits in the low-dose treatment group (4.43 +/- 2.37) and the seven rabbits in the high-dose treatment group (4.57 +/- 2.36) [+/- ]. The percentage of pleural tissue demonstrating angiogenesis in the control group (4.87 +/- 0.43%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that for the low-dose (2.94 +/- 0.68%) or high-dose (2.67 +/- 0.64%) antibody groups. When all rabbits were considered, there was a highly significant correlation between the pleural vascular density scores and the pleurodesis scores (r = 0.84, p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF and angiogenesis appear to play a pivotal role in the production of a pleurodesis.
Guo
Yubiao B
YB
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ROC.
Kalomenidis
Ioannis
I
Hawthorne
Michael
M
Parman
Kelly S
KS
Lane
Kirk B
KB
Light
Richard W
RW
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control; D010994:Pleura / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018700:Pleurodesis / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000906:Antibodies; D016207:Cytokines; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A