Expression of angiogenesis regulatory proteins and epithelial-mesenchymal transition factors in platelets of the breast cancer patients.
Platelets play a role in tumor angiogenesis and growth and are the main transporters of several angiogenesis regulators. Here, we aimed to determine the levels of angiogenesis regulators and epithelial-mesenchymal transition factors sequestered by circulating platelets in breast cancer patients and age-matched healthy controls. Platelet pellets (PP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were collected by routine protocols. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), platelet factor 4 (PF4), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Angiogenesis-associated expression of VEGF (2.1 pg/10(6) platelets versus 0.9 pg/10(6) platelets, P < 0.001), PF4 (21.2 ng/10(6) platelets versus 10.2 ng/10(6) platelets, P < 0.001), PDGF-BB (42.9 pg/10(6) platelets versus 19.1 pg/10(6) platelets, P < 0.001), and TGF-β1 (15.3 ng/10(6) platelets versus 4.3 ng/10(6) platelets, P < 0.001) differed in the PP samples of cancer and control subjects. In addition, protein concentrations were associated with clinical characteristics (P < 0.05). Circulating platelets in breast cancer sequester higher levels of PF4, VEGF, PDGF-BB, and TGF-β1, suggesting a possible target for early diagnosis. VEGF, PDGF, and TGF-β1 concentrations in platelets may be associated with prognosis.
Department of Oncology, Qilu Hospital, School of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China ; Department of Oncology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng Clinical School of Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Hui
H
Han
Department of Oncology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng Clinical School of Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Fang-Li
FL
Cao
Department of Oncology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng Clinical School of Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Bao-Zhong
BZ
Wang
Department of Oncology, Shandong Province-Owned Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
Xue-Ru
XR
Mu
Department of Hematology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Medical School of Liaocheng, Taishan Medical University, 67 Dong Chang Xi Lu, Liaocheng, Shandong 252000, China.
Guang-Yao
GY
Li
Department of Oncology, Qilu Hospital, School of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
Xiu-Wen
XW
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077214:Becaplermin; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019700:Thrombospondin 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D019700:Thrombospondin 1; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000077214:Becaplermin; D010978:Platelet Factor 4