Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in rosacea.
BACKGROUND
Rosacea is a common chronic disease of unclear pathogenesis, characterised by inflammation and vascular abnormalities of the facial skin and ocular surface. Recognising that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is vasoactive and has inflammatory activities, the expression of this molecule and its receptors, VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, in rosacea was investigated.


METHODS
Formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded sections of skin obtained from 20 patients with rosacea were immunostained to detect expression of VEGF, VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, using an indirect methodology incorporating antigen retrieval. Adjacent sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin.


RESULTS
Biopsy specimens were characterised by perivascular and perifollicular lymphohistiocytic infiltration and dilated vascular channels. In addition to keratinocyte and epithelial staining, which was also noted in normal skin, vascular endothelium frequently stained positive for VEGF-R1 (14/20, 70%) and VEGF-R2 (20/20, 100%), but infrequently for VEGF (2/20, 10%). In most specimens, infiltrating leucocytes, including lymphocytes, macrophages and plasma cells, expressed VEGF (17/20, 85%), VEGF-R1 (20/20, 100%) and VEGF-R2 (20/20, 100%).


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of VEGF receptors, both by vascular endothelium and infiltrating mononuclear cells, is observed in rosacea. Although not expressed by endothelium, VEGF is present in epidermis and epithelium, and is expressed by infiltrating cells. VEGF receptor-ligand binding may contribute to the vascular changes and cellular infiltration that occurs in rosacea.
Smith
Justine R
JR
Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Biomedical Research Building, Mail Code L467AD, Portland, OR 97239, USA. smithjus@ohsu.edu
Lanier
Virginia B
VB
Braziel
Rita M
RM
Falkenhagen
Katherine M
KM
White
Clifton
C
Rosenbaum
James T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D012393:Rosacea / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor