ObjectiveTo observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the inner limiting membrane (ILM) of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with macular edema, and analyze the correlation between VEGF and AQP4 expression. Methods A cross-sectional study. From September 2019 to September 2020, 38 eyes of 38 patients with DR and idiopathic macular hole (iMH) who underwent vitrectomy (PPV) combined with ILM stripping at the Hangzhou campus of The Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University at Hangzhou were included in the study. Among them, there were 25 males and 13 females who aged 37-76 years old, average age was 59±10 years old; All eye included 15 right eyes and 23 left eyes. iMH and DR included 9 eyes in 9 cases and 29 eyes in 29 cases, respectively, and they were divided into iMH group and DR group. The DR group was divided into DME group and no DME group according to whether it was accompanied by diabetic macular edema (DME), with 14 eyes and 15 eyes respectively. After the stripped ILM tissue was fixed, immunofluorescence analysis was performed to obtain a picture of the fluorescence mode of AQP4 and VEGF, and the fluorescence intensity value of VEGF and AQP4 was measured by Image J software. The differences of VEGF and AQP4 immunofluorescence values in the specimens between groups were compared by one-way analysis of variance. The correlation between the fluorescence intensity of AQP4 and the fluorescence intensity of VEGF was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results The average fluorescence intensity values?of VEGF and AQP4 in ILM specimens of DME group, no DME group and iMH group were 38.96±7.53, 28.25±3.12, 30.07±4.84 and 49.07±8.73, 37.96±6.45, 38.08±5.04, respectively. The average fluorescence intensity of VEGF and AQP4 in the ILM specimens of the DME group was significantly higher than that of the no DME group and iMH group, and the difference was statistically significant (F=13.977, 9.454; P＜0.05). The average fluorescence intensity values of VEGF and AQP4 on IML specimens in the DR group were 33.80±7.91, 43.76±9.44, respectively. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the fluorescence intensity of VEGF and AQP4 in the ILM specimens of the DR group was significantly positively correlated (r=0.597, P=0.003). ConclusionsThe expressions of VEGF and AQP4 in ILM of eyes with DR and DME are significantly increased compared with those without DME. The expression of VEGF and AQP4 in ILM of eyes with DR is positively correlated.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanisms of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on healing quality of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer.
MethodsForty-eight clean grade male Wistar rats were used to establish the model of gastric ulcer with acetic acid and were randomly divided into 3 groups after 3 days of modeling, 16 rats each group. After the abdominal cavity was open and stomach was pulled out, no treatment was given in group A, 150 μL phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and 150 μL BMSCs at passage 4+PBS (1×108 cells/100 μL) were injected into the gastric wall surrounding the ulcer at 5 different points in groups B and C respectively. After 10 days, the ulcer area was measured, the mucosal thickness and the number of dilated glands were tested in the regenerative mucosa by histological method. And the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected at ulcerative margin by immunohistochemical method.
ResultsThe ulcer area in group C was significantly smaller than that of groups A and B (P<0.01), but no significant difference was found between groups A and B (P>0.05). HE staining showed that group C had thicker regenerative gastric mucosa, less dilated glands, and more regular mucosal structure than groups A and B, showing significant differences in regenerative gastric mucosa thickness and dilated glands number (P<0.01), but no significant difference between groups A and B (P>0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the positive expression of VEGF in the ulcer margin mucosa of group C was significantly higher than that of groups A and B. The integral absorbance (IA) value of VEGF expression in group C was significantly higher than that in groups A and B (P<0.01), but no significant difference between groups A and B (P>0.05).
ConclusionBMSCs can accelerate ulcer healing by the secretion of VEGF, and improve the quality of ulcer healing.
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the significance of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C （VEGF-C） and cytokeratin 19 （CK19） in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods A total of 269 patients with NSCLC who underwent standard lobectomy and lymph node dissection by the same surgical team in our hospital from January 2004 to June 2005 were included in this study. All the clinical data and follow-up results were complete, and all the pathological specimens were well kept. No preoperative or postoperative adjuvant therapy such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy was administered to those patients. Expressions of VEGF-C in cancer tissues was detected by immunohistochemical streptavidin-peroxidase （S-P） method, and CK19 was marked to examine micrometastasis in hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. Clinical outcomes, pathological results and follow-up data were analyzed in combination with VEGF-C and CK19 expression. Results VEGF-C expression was not statistically different between different category in sex（Hc=1.722，P=0.084）, age （Hc=0.914，P=0.360）, smoking （Hc=2.440，P=0.295）, pathology type （Hc=5.668，P=0.058）or tumor size （Hc=0.165，P=0.920） . VEGF-C expression was statistically different between different groups of pathological differentiation （Hc=29.178，P=0.000). CK19 expression was not statistically different between different category in sex（χ2=0.000，P=0.999）, age （χ2=0.005，P=0.999）, smoking （χ2=2.294，P=0.317）, pathology type （χ2=0.573，P=0.289）, tumor size（χ2=0.006，P=0.999）, and pathological differentiation （χ2=2.927，P=0.231）. Five-year survival rate was statistically different between different grade of VEGF-C expression （χ2=37.318，P=0.000), and was also statistically different between positive group and negative group of CK19 （χ2=39.987，P=0.000). There was statistical difference between different grade of VEGF-C expression and positive rate of CK19 （χ2=25.954，P=0.000). Conclusion Expression of VEGF-C and CK19 is closely related to postoperative 5-year survival of patients with stage I NSCLC. Detection of VEGF-C and CK19 is of great clinical significance as it is helpful to predict patient prognosis and choose proper postoperative adjuvant therapy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the angiogenesis mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) combined with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for arteriosclerosis obliterans of rat hind limb.
MethodsThe models of hind limb arteriosclerosis obliterans of 60 male SD rats were established and randomly divided into four groups:normal saline (NS) group, VEGF group, bFGF group, and VEGF+bFGF group. The saline 1 mL and 100μg/L rhVEGF 1 mL were respectively injected into the abdominal cavity on every other day in the NS group and VEGF group. The 100μg/L rhbFGF 1 mL was multiply injected into the hind limb medial vastus muscle in the bFGF group. The 100μg/L rhVEGF 1 mL and 100μg/L rhbFGF 1 mL were respectively injected into the abdominal cavity and the hind limb medial vastus muscle on every other day in the VEGF+bFGF group. The angiogenesis of rat hind limb arteriosclerosis obliterans was observed on day 30 by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The VEGF and bFGF protein and mRNA expressions in the hind limb medial vastus muscle tissues were tested by the Western blot and RT-PCR methods respectively.
Results①The number of new collateral vessel in the VEGF+bFGF group was significantly more than that in the bFGF group (P < 0.05), VEGF group (P < 0.05), and NS group (P < 0.001), which in the VEGF group or bFGF group was significantly more than that in the NS group (P < 0.001), and which had no significant difference between the VEGF group and bFGF group (P > 0.05).②The protein and mRNA expressions of VEGF and bFGF in the VEGF+bFGF group were significantly higher than those in the bFGF group (P < 0.001), VEGF group (P < 0.001), and NS group (P < 0.001), which in the VEGF and bFGF were significantly higher than those in the NS group (P < 0.001), which had no significant difference between the VEGF group and bFGF group (P > 0.05).
ConclusionsVEGF and bFGF in combination could increase the expressions of VEGF and bFGF in the rat hind limb ischemia region tissue and promote vascular endothelial cell proliferation and differentiation, and capillary sprouting growth, make angiogenesis of ischemic area, it is provided a new clinical treatment of peripheral arterial disease.
【Abstract】Objective To evaluate the status of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in breast carcinoma and benign disease and define the relationship with age,menopause, tumor size，clinical stage，distant metastasis and lymph node metastasis. Methods Seventy cases of invasive ductal breast carcinomas,30 benign breast diseases and 7 adjacent nonneoplastic specimens were assessed for VEGF protein expression by immunohistochemistry LSAB method. Results VEGF were expressed more frequently in breast cancer than in benign diseases.VEGF was significantly correlated with axillary lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis,whereas no statistical correlation with other factors. Conclusion VEGF status has certain value to make differential diagnosis between malignant and benign breast diseases and predict the possibilities of distant and lymph node metastasis.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of conditional knocking out (KO) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene on the mouse model of oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR).MethodsThe conditional VEGF KO mice were generated using Cre-Loxp technology, resulting in the deletion of VEGF in a portion of Müller cells permanently in mouse retina. Cre positive was CKO mice, Cre negative was NKO mice. OIR was induced by keeping mice in 75% oxygen at postnatal 7 days (P7) to P12 and in room air from P12 to P17 (each 20 mice for CKO and NKO, respectively). The mice mortality was analyzed. At day P17, the percentage of retinal avascular area was calculated using retinal flat-mounting with fluorescence angiography, the number of vascular endothelial cell nucleus breaking through retinal inner limiting membrane was counted with hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining of retinal sections, and the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was detected by immunofluorescence analysis. ResultsDuring the development of OIR, the mortality rate of CKO mice (65.00%) was higher than that of NKO mice (30.00%) with the significant difference (x2=4.912, P=0.027). At day P17, all the mice retinas were harvested. The retinal fluorescence angiography displayed that the normal retinal vascularization of CKO mice was delayed, and large avascular areas were observed. Meanwhile, rare new vascular plexus was found in CKO mice and the thickness of whole retina decreased dramatically. In contrast, NKO mice developed larger area of normal retinal vascular network structure with higher blood vessel density and more new vascular plexus with obvious fluorescein leakage. The percentage of avascular area in CKO mice [(28.31±11.15)%] was higher than NKO mice [(16.82±7.23)%] with the significant difference (t=2.734, P=0.014). The HE staining of retinal sections indicated smaller counts of vascular endothelial cell nucleus breaking through retinal inner limiting membrane in CKO mice (26.10±6.37) when compared to NKO mice (28.80±7.59) , the difference was significant (t=2.437, P=0.016). The immunofluorescence analysis showed stronger expression of HIF-1α in CKO mice than NKO mice, which was mainly located in the retinal ganglion cell layer.ConclusionsThe local VEGF gene knockout partially inhibits retinal neovascularization in OIR mice. However, it also suppresses the normal retinal blood vascular development with a decrease of OIR mice survival ability.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the change of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in HepG2 cells under hypoxia. Methods HepG2 cells were cultured under hypoxia（hypoxia group） and normal condition (control group). VEGF expression of HepG2 cells was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The growth of HepG2 cells was examined by MTT colorimetry and cell count. VEGF level in the culture medium was measured by ELISA.Results After 48 h and 72 h of culture, the growth rate of HepG2 cells in hypoxia group was lower than that in control group (P＜0.05). The cell count in hypoxia group (2.51×104/μl and 2.69×104/μl, respectively) was much lower than that in control group(3.01×104/μl and 3.52×104/μl) after 48h and 72h of culture (P＜0.05). In hypoxia group, VEGF level in the culture medium after 24 h and 48 h was higher than that in control group (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Conclusion Hypoxia may enhance the VEGF expression in HepG2 cells and this could be the reason of high expression of VEGF after transcatheterized hepatic arterial chemoembolization.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the role of VEGF and its soluble VEGF receptor ( sVEGFR-1) in pathogenesis of acute lung injury ( ALI) induced by immersion in seawater after open chest trauma. Methods Sixteen hybridized adult dogs were randomly divided into control group and seawater group. The control group only suffered from open chest trauma, whereas the seawater group were exposed to seawater after open chest trauma. Blood samples were collected at the 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 h after trauma for measurement of white blood cell count, arterial blood gas, plasma osmotic pressure ( POP) , electrolyte concentration, IL-8, vWF, VEGF and sVEGFR-1 levels. The lungs tissue and BALF was collected at 8 h after trauma. Pathological changes of the lung was observed under light microscope by HE staining. Meanwhile VEGF and sVEGFR-1 levels were measured in BALF and lung tissue homogenate. Total protein concentrations in plasma and BALF were measured to calculate the pulmonary penetration index ( PPI) . Results The lung of the seawater group showed interstitial mononuclear cell and neutrophil infiltration, interstitial edema, and vascular congestion. VEGF and sVEGFR-1 were significantly increased in the plasma, while VEGF was significantly reduced in the lung tissues and BALF. The levels of IL-1β, IL-8 and vWF, just as the level of VEGF, were significantly increased in the plasma. Meanwhile, the POP and electrolyte concentration were significantly increased. In the plasma, the responses of VEGFs during the early onset of ALI induced by immersion in seawater after open chest trauma were consistent with the POP and PPI. Conclusions High plasma levels and low BALF/ lung tissue levels of VEGFs is a distinguishing characteristic during the early onset of ALI induced by immersion in seawater after open chest trauma. VEGF may be a novel biomarker which has an important role in the development of ALI.
Objective To detect the expressions of osteopontin （OPN）， breast tumor kinase （Brk）， and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in the breast cancer tissue， the adjacent （2cm） normal breast tissue， and the distal（＞5cm） normal breast tissue， and analyze their clinical significances. Method The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of OPN， Brk， and VEGF in the breast cancer tissue， the adjacent （2cm） normal breast tissue， and the distal （＞5cm） normal breast tissue from 40 cases of breast cancer. Results ① The expressions of OPN，Brk， and VEGF in the breast cancer tissue were significantly higher than those of the adjacent （2cm） normal breast tissue and the distal （＞5cm） normal breast tissue （P＜0.01）， the expression of Brk in the adjacent （2cm） normal breast tissue was significantly higher than that of the distal （＞5 cm） normal breast tissue （P＜0.05）. ② In the breast cancer tissue， the OPN and Brk protein expressions were not associated with age， tumor diameter， and histological grade （P＞0.05），were associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage （P＜0.05）. The VEGF protein expression was not associated with age and tumor diameter （P＞0.05）， but was associated with histological grade， lymph node metastasis， and TNM staging （P＜0.05）. ③ In the breast cancer tissue， OPN， Brk， and VEGF had positive correlation with each other （P＜0.05）， but not in the adjacent （2cm） normal breast tissue and the distal （＞5 cm） normal breast tissue （P＞0.05）. Conclusions The expressions of OPN and Brk from the same signal pathway increase by turns in the distal （＞5 cm） normal breast tissue， adjacent （2cm） normal breast tissue， and breast cancer tissue. OPN induced the adhesion and migration of endothelial cells to accelerate vascular repair through VEGF and Brk has correlation with the progress of tumor invasion and metastasis through participating in tumor vascularization.
Objective To investigate the effects of exosomes from cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells affected by oxidative stress on the proliferation and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and Akt of ARPE-19 cells. Methods Culture ARPE-19 cells. The concentration of 2.5 μmol/L rotenone was selected to simulate oxidative stress and isolated ARPE-19-exosome. Exosomes were isolated by ExoQuick exosome precipitation solution. Transmission electron microscopy was used to identify the morphology of exosomes. Western blot was used to detect exosomes’ surface-specific maker protein CD63. ARPE-19 cells affected by oxidative stress were cultured with exosome as experimental group, normal ARPE-19 cells were cultured with exosome as control group. The cell proliferation was examined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the expression levels of VEGF-A and Akt protein. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the levels of VEGF-A mRNA and Akt mRNA. Results The diameter of normal ARPE-19-exosomes ranged from 50 to 150 nm. The isolated exosomes expressed CD63. AREP-19 cells were cultured with ARPE-19 (affected by rotenone)-exosome, the cell viability in experimental group was significantly reduced than in the control group. Green fluorescence was observed in the cytoplasm under fluorescence microscope. Compared with the control group, VEGF-A was up-regulated expressed and Akt was down-regulated expressed. Western blot results showed that, VEGF-A protein expression in the experimental group were higher than the control group. Akt protein expression in the experimental group were less than the control group. The difference was statically significant (t=3.822, 6.527;P＜0.05). RT-PCR results showed that VEGF-A mRNA expression levels was higher in the experimental group than the control group. Akt mRNA expression levels was lower in the experimental group than the control group. The difference was statically significant (t=8.805, ?7.823;P＜0.05). Conclusions Exosomes from ARPE-19 cells affected by oxidative stress inhibit the proliferation of normal ARPE-19 cells, increase the expression of VEGF-A and reduce the expression of Akt.
