title: Expression and distribution of endocan in human tissues.
abstract: Endocan is a novel human endothelial cell specific molecule. Its expression is regulated by cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The distribution of endocan in normal human tissues, however, remains unclear. We examined the expression of endocan in normal human tissue using immunohistochemical stains. Endocan was expressed in actively proliferative or neogeneic tissues and cells such as glandular tissues, endothelium of neovasculature, bronchial epithelium, germinal centers of lymph nodes etc. Endocan was not present in silent or resting tissues or cells such as endothelium of great arteries and spleen etc. Our findings suggest that endocan may act as a marker for angiogenesis or oncogenesis and could be regarded as a candidate gene for inflammatory tissue, neoplasia, tumor development and metastasis. The expression level of endocan may assist early diagnosis and prognosis of some tumors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P R China.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C101134:ESM1 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans