title: Vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors are expressed in human nerve grafts.
abstract: Vascularization and angiogenicity of human nonvascularized nerve grafts in the second stage of facial reanimation were studied. Immunohistochemistry for endothelial markers (CD-31) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors Flt-1 and Flk-1 was performed on distal end biopsies from 35 cross-facial nerve grafts. In grafted nonvascularized nerve, density of vascular structures (also clearly immunopositive for VEGF and both receptors) showed a mean of 166 vessels (range 78 to 267) per unit area, corresponding to control values. In addition, VEGF was expressed in axons and perineural structures. In control samples, VEGF expression was low and occurred in the myelin sheath. In nerve grafts, expression of Flt-1 and Flk-1 (less intense) was seen in axons and perineural structures. A higher density of vessels was associated with lower VEGF expression (not significant). In short, expression of VEGF and its receptors is described in human nerve grafts and compared with basic histology and p75 nerve growth factor receptor expression of the nerve graft and functional outcome of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, HUS.
authors.forename: Tuija M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ylä-Kotola
authors.forename: Susanna C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kauhanen
authors.forename: Ilmo V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Leivo
authors.forename: Caj
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haglund
authors.forename: Erkki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tukiainen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1