title: Angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in human surgical wounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Angiogenesis plays an essential role in tissue repair. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mediates angiogenesis through receptor kinases VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, and co-receptors, neuropilins Np1 and Np2. This study examined the spatial and temporal expression of these factors in relation to angiogenesis in surgical wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scar biopsies were obtained from patients between 3 days and 2 years after surgery. Normal skin control biopsies were taken during surgery. Microvessel density (MVD) was quantified using a Chalkley grid. VEGF, VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2, Np1 and Np2 endothelial expression was determined by immunohistochemistry, and correlated with MVD and scar age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cumulative MVD was significantly greater in scars than controls (P = 0.011), and was related to scar age (P = 0.007). Expression of VEGF, VEGF-R2, Np1 and Np2 was increased significantly in all scars and correlated with MVD. In contrast, scar VEGF-R1 expression was decreased, and correlated with increased VEGF and VEGF-R2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levels of VEGF, VEGF-R2, Np1 and Np2 are increased, whereas VEGF-R1 expression is decreased in angiogenesis, suggesting a role for VEGF-receptor complexes in early wound healing. This altered protein expression and increased presence of vessels is prolonged, suggesting that structural remodelling continues for at least 2 years after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Surgical Oncology, University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Staton
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: M W R
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D039921:Neuropilins / Q000378:metabolism; D015588:Observer Variation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D039921:Neuropilins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2