title: Studies of pathology and VEGF expression in rabbit cerebrospinal fluid metastasis: application of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to analyze the correlation of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression and to assess the potential application of DCE-MRI to the rabbit cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metastasis model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty New Zealand rabbits were divided into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, VX2 tumor cells were injected into the subarachnoid space at the plane of cisterna magna in 24 rabbits. In the control group, physiological saline was injected into the subarachnoid space at the plane of cisterna magna in six rabbits. DCE-MRI was performed at multiple time points, and several pharmacokinetic parameters, including K(trans), K(ep) and V(e), were calculated. Also, VEGF levels in plasma and CSF were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay prior to DCE-MRI examination. After DCE-MRI examination, the rabbits were sacrificed, and the corresponding tumor specimens were harvested. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and VEGF immunohistochemical staining were carried out, and VEGF expression in the specimens was evaluated by the immunohistochemical scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vascular endothelial growth factor positive staining was localized in the cytoplasm and cell membranes of tumor cells, as well as in a subset of epithelial cells. Both VEGF immunohistochemical scores and VEGF expression in CSF and plasma exhibited positive correlations with K(trans) and K(ep) values as demonstrated by rank correlation statistical analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in plasma and CSF in the CSF metastasis model was higher than in normal tissues. Therefore, DCE-MRI reliably indicated VEGF expression in the rabbit CSF metastasis model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Medical College, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200080, China.
authors.forename: Kang-an
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Rui-ming
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jing-long
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yu-jie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xi-fu
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lin-feng
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Yun-sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Gui-xiang
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007700:Kinetics; D007717:Knee / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011817:Rabbits; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A