title: Co-localization of prothrombin fragment F1+2 and VEGF-R2-bound VEGF in human colon cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colon cancer (CC) is frequently complicated by thromboembolic episodes. Thrombin plays a role in angiogenesis and among others induces the synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2). The aim of this study was to assess the expression of prothrombin fragment F1+2 (F1+2), a byproduct in thrombin generation (indicating the presence of thrombin), in relation to the presence of VEGFR-2-bound VEGF (VEGF:VEGFR-2), as an indicator of VEGFR-2 activation in human CC tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical ABC and double staining studies were performed using antibodies against F1+2 and VEGF:VEGFR-2 in 59 specimens obtained from CC patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Medium and high expression of both F1+2 and VEGF:VEGF2 in association with CC cells and endothelial cells was demonstrated. Moreover, coexpression of F1+2 and VEGF:VEGFR-2 was observed in the cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results may suggest a possible functional interaction between thrombin and VEGF-R2 stimulation in human CC in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Medical University, 12 Ogrodowa St., Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sierko
authors.forename: Marek Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Wojtukiewicz
authors.forename: Lech
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zimnoch
authors.forename: Philip E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Thorpe
authors.forename: Rolf A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brekken
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kisiel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C045879:prothrombin fragment 1.2; D011516:Prothrombin; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2