title: Angiogenic growth factors in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We investigated whether the angiogenic profile, which is based on the local expression and systemic levels of angiogenic growth factors (VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, and the corresponding receptors), differs between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. We determined the expression of VEGF, Ang-1, and Ang-2 together with its receptors (VEGFR-1/-2 and Tie2) in synovium tissue (ST) and muscular tissue (MT) from patients with RA and OA using quantitative PCR. Tissue samples were obtained from 15 RA and 19 OA patients during total knee arthroplasty. Control MT samples (n = 10) were obtained during spinal surgery. Results are correlated to VEGF and angiopoietin serum levels via ELISA measurements. The VEGF expressions in ST and serum levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in OA patients (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 expression in ST from RA patients were significantly higher than in OA patients (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05). The relative concentration of angiopoietins (Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio) was significantly increased in RA (P < 0.01). Serum levels for Ang-2 showed no significant differences. Statistical analysis showed a significant higher level of Tie2 in RA patients (P < 0.001). Analysis of local levels of VEGF, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 in the muscular tissue showed no significant difference between RA and OA patients. These results underline the importance of pro-angiogenic growth factor levels for RA corroborating the assumption that VEGF and angiopoietins play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA.
authors: Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. m.schroeder@uke.de
authors: Malte
authors: M
authors: Schroeder
authors: Lennart
authors: L
authors: Viezens
authors: Ina
authors: I
authors: Fuhrhop
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Rüther
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Schaefer
authors: Britta
authors: B
authors: Schwarzloh
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Algenstaedt
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Fink
authors: Nils
authors: N
authors: Hansen-Algenstaedt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D042682:Angiopoietins / Q000032:analysis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2 / Q000032:analysis; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D042682:Angiopoietins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor