Expression of PC cell-derived growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and their clinicopathologic significance.
BACKGROUND
Esophageal carcinoma is a common kind of malignant tumor and about 90% of which is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and it has a high incidence in China. In recent years it has been argued that angiogenesis plays a key role in tumor growth and metastasis and it is a complex process influenced by many factors. This study was aimed to investigate the expression of PC cell-derived growth factor (PCDGF or progranulin) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ESCC tissue and their relationship with clinical pathological parameters of ESCC, clarify the role of PCDGF and VEGF in the angiogenesis of ESCC.


METHODS
The expression of PCDGF and VEGF in 50 surgical specimens from patients with ESCC and 20 with normal esophageal mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry. The vascular endothelial cells in tumor tissues were labeled by antibody to CD105 for counting microvessel density (MVD).


RESULTS
The expression of PCDGF and VEGF in ESCC was significantly higher than that in normal mucosa. Expression correlated with the depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and TNM (classification tumor, nodes, metastasis). In ESCC, both the expression level of PCDGF and VEGF had a positive correlation with MVD and the expression of PCDGF had a significant correlation with the expression of VEGF.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that both of PCDGF and VEGE have higher expression in ESCC, which indicate that they have a close relationship with angiogenesis. They may be involved in tumor growth, infiltration and metastasis through promoting tumor angiogenesis and may be an important index reflecting biological behavior and prognosis of ESCC.
Chen
Xiang-yu
XY
Institute of Clinical Medical Research of Henan Province. Department of Digestive Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.
Li
Jian-sheng
JS
Liang
Qian-ping
QP
He
De-zhi
DZ
Zhao
Jing
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077153:Progranulins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis*
C492314:GRN protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D000077153:Progranulins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A