Expression of vascular endothelial growth factors C and D correlates with lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-C and -D have been reported to be lymph-specific growth factors. In this study we analyzed the intra- and peritumoral microlymphatic vessel density (MLVD) and the expression of VEGF-C and -D in lung adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
Tissue samples were obtained from 48 patients who underwent surgery for lung adenocarcinoma. The expression of VEGF-C, -D and MLVD was examined by immunohistochemistry, and the correlation with lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features was evaluated.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of VEGF-C and -D immunoreactivity in 70.8 % (34/48) and 58.3 % (28/48) of the tissue samples, respectively. The group with a high expression of VEGF-C and -D in the tumor margins had a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis. MLVD in both the VEGF-C and the VEGF-D positive groups was higher than that in the negative groups, and the lymph node metastasis was likewise higher.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF-C and -D may play important roles in lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma.
Bo
Cong
C
Thoracic Surgery, Second Hospital of Shandong University, 250033 Jinan, China.
Xiaopeng
Dong
D
Chuanliang
Peng
P
Xiaogang
Zhao
Z
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000556:secondary; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000032:analysis*; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000032:analysis*; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins / Q000032:analysis
C119248:LYVE1 protein, human; C467486:VEGFC protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins