title: Different expression of VEGF and EGFL7 in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of several angiogenic factors expressed in cirrhosis and during progression to malignancy, that seem to play a major role in hepatocellular carcinoma development. Lately, another angiogenic factor, epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 7 (EGFL7), has attracted interest due to its possible relationship with hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate expression of VEGF and EGFL7 in human hepatocellular carcinoma, compared to corresponding cirrhotic surrounding tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tumoural and cirrhotic tissue was harvested from 12 consecutive patients undergoing surgical resection. VEGF and EGFL7 were assessed by immunofluorescence and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, compared with normal controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both angiogenic factors were over-expressed in cirrhotic livers compared to normal controls. VEGF and EGFL7 expressions did not differ according to disease aetiology, nodule size or other clinical variables. While VEGF expression was constant, regardless of tumour differentiation stage and unchanged compared to surrounding cirrhotic tissue, EGFL7 expression increased in less differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preferential expression of EGFL7 in less differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma compared to VEGF, suggests a possible important role of this angiogenic factor in a later oncogenic and infiltrative/metastatic phase.
authors.affiliation: Histopathology Unit, University of Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Campagnolo
authors.affiliation: Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, University of Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Telesca
authors.affiliation: Histopathology Unit, University of Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Micol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massimiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stuhlmann
authors.affiliation: Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, University of Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Angelico
authors.affiliation: Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, University of Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lenci
authors.affiliation: Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, University of Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Manzia
authors.affiliation: Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, University of Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tariciotti
authors.affiliation: Histopathology Unit, University of Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.affiliation: Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, University of Tor Vergata, Rome Italy. Electronic address: baiocchi@uniroma2.it.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baiocchi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; C527877:EGFL7 protein, human; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Epidermal growth factor like domain 7 (EGFL7); Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); Liver cirrhosis; Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)