The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and angiogenesis markers in hyperplastic and malignant prostate tissue.
BACKGROUND
The process of ingrowth of new blood vessels is stimulated by the action of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), while it may be simultaneously related to the degree of tissue hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a protein of cellular response to hypoxia. The relationship between hypoxia and angiogenesis in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) was examined.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy (170) prostatic tissue samples were immunohistochemically evaluated. The microvessel density (MVD) was calculated by CD34 immunostaining; the angiogenetic profile was further assessed using a monoclonal antibody against VEGF. HIF-1alpha immunoreaction was recognized through nuclear staining of positive cells.


RESULTS
CD34, VEGF and HIF-1alpha staining reactions were significantly higher in the PCa group than in the BPH group. In both groups, an interrelationship between the immunoexpression of CD34 and HIF-1alpha, VEGF and HIF-1alpha, as well as VEGF and CD34 was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
MVD, VEGF cytoplasmic immunoreactivity and HIF-1alpha immunoreaction were more prominent in PCa than in BPH and were also significantly associated with high-grade carcinomas.
Lekas
Alexandros
A
Department of Urology, General Hospital of Nikea, 3 D. Mantouvalou St., Nikea, Piraeus, Greece. alekas@med.uoa.gr
Lazaris
Andreas C
AC
Deliveliotis
Charalampos
C
Chrisofos
Michail
M
Zoubouli
Christina
C
Lapas
Dimitrios
D
Papathomas
Thomas
T
Fokitis
Ioannis
I
Nakopoulou
Lydia
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis
D018952:Antigens, CD34; C497442:HIF1A protein, human; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A