title: Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietins in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary gland.
abstract: Disrupted coordination of angiogenesis regulating signals, among them the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietins (Angs), has been associated with abnormal angiogenesis and tumor progression. While VEGF induces endothelial cell proliferation, thereby initiating vessel formation, Angs are subsequently required for mural cell attachment, thus influencing remodeling and maturation of this vasculature. In addition to tumor cell, endothelial and mural cells, as well as myofibroblasts may also contribute to the secretion of these factors. In this study, we have analyzed by immunohistochemistry the expression of VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2 and the Angs receptor Tie2 in both the stroma and tumor cells of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of salivary gland. We have demonstrated that when myofibroblasts were detected adjacent to the cancer cells, they were frequently associated with intense positive staining for Ang-1 and Ang-2, and no reactivity to VEGF and Tie2. These myofibroblast-rich Ang-1 and Ang-2-stained areas were more commonly found in high-grade MEC cases than in low-grade ones. As for the malignant cells, they frequently expressed all proteins studied, but Ang-2 and VEGF were detected at higher levels compared to Ang-1 and Tie2. Our results indicate that the MEC environment favors cooperative activity between Angs and VEGF in modulating vascular growth and tumor aggressiveness.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patologia Oral, Faculdade de Odontologia e Centro de Pesquisas São Leopoldo Mandic, Rua José Rocha Junqueira, 13, Campinas, SP, CEP 13045-755, Brazil. demasiap@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ana P D
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Demasi
authors.forename: Carolina A B
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Alessandra D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Furuse
authors.forename: Andresa B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Albina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altemani
authors.forename: Marcelo H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Napimoga
authors.forename: Vera C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Araújo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D042683:Angiopoietin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C467630:ANGPT1 protein, human; D042683:Angiopoietin-1; D042702:Angiopoietin-2; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2