title: Protein kinase B phosphorylation correlates with vascular endothelial growth factor A and microvessel density in gastric adenocarcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The signalling molecule protein kinase B (Akt) modulates many cellular processes. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signalling pathways play important roles in tumour angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the role of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) in angiogenesis  and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A in gastric adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tumour tissue and matched healthy gastric mucosa were obtained from patients undergoing surgical resection of gastric adenocarcinoma. Akt and pAkt were detected via Western blotting. VEGF-A,  pAkt and CD34 were examined by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Akt and pAkt protein levels were significantly higher in gastric cancer tissue than in normal tissue (n = 48 patients). Positive VEGF-A immunostaining was significantly associated with pAkt immunostaining. Microvessel density  was correlated with both VEGF-A and pAkt positivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phosphorylated Akt and VEGF-A are involved in angiogenesis of gastric adenocarcinoma, and Akt activation may contribute to angiogenesis via VEGF-A upregulation. The PI3K/Akt/VEGF signalling pathway may be involved in gastric  adeno carcinoma.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
authors: X D
authors: XD
authors: Zhou
authors: H X
authors: HX
authors: Chen
authors: R N
authors: RN
authors: Guan
authors: Y P
authors: YP
authors: Lei
authors: X
authors: X
authors: Shu
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Zhu
authors: N H
authors: NH
authors: Lv
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D058539:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D058539:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt