title: Correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with two distinct types of blood vessels for the assessment of angiogenesis in lewis lung carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to evaluate tumor angiogenesis in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) of mice using a contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examination, and to determine the correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic parameters with different blood vessel markers of microvessel density (MVD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Subcutaneous Lewis lung carcinomas were established in 25 mice, which were evaluated by contrast-enhanced US using SonoVue (a second-generation US contrast agent). The results were recorded as digital video images and the time-intensity curves and hemodynamic parameters were analyzed. Pathological tumor specimens were obtained just after US examination. Tumor specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and expression of CD31 and CD34, the different endothelial cell markers, was determined by immunohistochemical straining. Then the relationship between the CEUS parameters and the level of MVD was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two distinct types of microvessels were identified in Lewis lung carcinoma: differentiated (CD34 +) and undifferentiated (CD31 +) vessels. A significant correlation was found between CEUS parameters and undifferentiated MVD (CD31 + vessels) in LLC (P < 0.05). There was a reverse correlation between the different MVDs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that among the distinct types of vasculature (CD31 + and CD34 +) in Lewis lung carcinoma, the former correlated with the CEUS parameters. Therefore, CEUS using a second-generation US contrast agent may be useful for the evaluation of tumor angiogenesis of LLC of mice.
authors: Ultrasound Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Zhuo
authors: Radiotherapy Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Fu
authors: Ultrasound Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D018827:Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D055806:Microvessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010743:Phospholipids; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride