title: Pulmonary vascular endothelial growth factor-C in development and lung injury in preterm infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In mice, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) plays an important role in development of the lymphatic system and in pathogenesis of pulmonary inflammation. Its role in development of the lymphatic system in human lung and in lung injury in newborns remains unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We studied the role of VEGF-C in developing human lung, and in acute and chronic lung injury in preterm infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Included in the immunohistochemistry study were 10 fetuses, 15 control neonates without primary lung disease, 15 preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome, and 8 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Tracheal aspirate fluid samples of intubated very-low-birth-weight infants during Postnatal Weeks 1-5 were analyzed with ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bronchiolar staining for VEGF-C was observed in all 48 samples. Alveolar epithelial staining was seen in most fetuses (8/10). In addition, staining was observed in alveolar macrophages in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (4/8), and late respiratory distress syndrome (2/7). VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) staining was observed in lymphatic endothelium adjacent to vascular endothelium. VEGF-C was expressed consistently in tracheal aspirate fluid, being highest during the first 2 postnatal days. Antenatal administration of glucocorticoids was associated with higher VEGF-C in tracheal aspirate fluid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pattern of pulmonary VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 protein expression and consistent VEGF-C protein appearance in tracheal aspirate fluid in human preterm infants indicate a role for VEGF-C in the physiologic development of the lymphatic system of the lung.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, and Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. joakim.janer@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Joakim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Janér
authors.forename: Patrik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lassus
authors.forename: Caj
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haglund
authors.forename: Karri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Paavonen
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alitalo
authors.forename: Sture
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000209:etiology; D014132:Trachea / Q000378:metabolism*; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3