Study on vasculogenic mimicry in malignant esophageal stromal tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether malignant esophageal stromal tumors contain PAS-positive patterned matrix-associated vascular channels, which are lined by tumor cells, but not vascular endothelial cells. That is vasculogenic mimicry (VM) independent of tumor angiogenesis.


METHODS
Thirty-six tissue samples of malignant esophageal stromal tumors were analyzed. Tissue sections were stained for Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD31 and periodic acid Schiff (PAS). The level of VEGF, the microvascular density (MVD) and the vasculogenic mimicry density (VMD) were determined.


RESULTS
PAS-positive patterned matrix-associated vascular channels were detected in 33.3% (12/36) of tumor samples. Within these patterned channels, red blood cells were found. The level of VEGF and the MVD in tumors containing patterned channels were significantly higher than those in tumors not containing patterned channels (P < 0.05). At the same time, the malignant degree of tumors was higher, the proportions of tumors containing patterned channels were not only more, but also in the each kind of tumors containing patterned channels.


CONCLUSIONS
In malignant esophageal stromal tumors, a VM mechanism causes some tumor cells to deform themselves and secrete extracellular matrix; thus, PAS-positive patterned matrix-associated vascular channels appear and supplying blood to the tumors to sustain their growth and metastasis.
Zhao
Hui
H
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250002, Shandong Province, China.
Gu
Xiao-Meng
XM
D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010503:Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis
D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A