title: Evaluation and comparison of microvessel density using the markers CD34 and CD105 in regenerative nodules, dysplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is multifactorial and angiogenesis plays a fundamental role, mainly because HCC is a highly vascularized tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we determined microvessel density (MVD) using the immunohistochemical markers, CD34 and CD105 (Endoglin), in 44 hepatectomy specimens, encompassing 44 malignant nodules (HCC), 44 regenerative nodules (RN), and 15 dysplastic nodules (DN). The evaluation included the determination of MVD in all nodules. For statistical analysis, a descriptive analysis was carried out using measurements of position and dispersion for continuous variables; ANOVA was used to compare between groups, considering p < 0.05 as statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a significant difference when comparing CD34 and CD105 immunoexpression in HCC, DN, and RN. CD105 was predominantly expressed in the peripheral regions in HCC, with mean MVD scores of 6.2 ± 4.1 and 10.7 ± 4.4 at the center and periphery of the nodules, respectively, with significant differences between groups (p < 0.0001). CD34 had higher mean MVD scores than CD105 in HCC, with a more uniform positivity pattern. CD105 immunoexpression in DN exhibited a pattern similar to HCC. However, in RN, CD105 exhibited a higher MVD score in the central portion of the nodules. CD105 was expressed in a subset of newly formed microvessels in HCC and demonstrated an elevated mean MVD in cirrhotic or regenerative nodules.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MVD determined by CD34 and CD105 expression may be used as an additional parameter to distinguish benign from malignant liver nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Hospital Albert Einstein, Avenida Albert Einstein, 627, Morumbi, São Paulo, SP, 05652-900, Brazil. v.segate@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Vanderlei
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Segatelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Hospital Albert Einstein, Avenida Albert Einstein, 627, Morumbi, São Paulo, SP, 05652-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ebe Christie
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Unit of Liver Transplantation, Faculty of Medical Science, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ilka F S F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Boin
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Science, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elaine Cristina
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ataide
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Science, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cecilia Amelia F
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Escanhoela
keywords: Angiogenesis; Dysplastic nodules; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Microvessel density; Regenerative nodules