ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in prostate cancer tissue and explore its relations with tumor angiogenesis. MethodsThe expression of TNF-α and CD105 were detected with two-step immunohistochemical staining technique in 20 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia and 50 cases of prostate cancer between January 2010 and January 2012, and microvessel density (MVD) marked with CD105 was also measured. ResultsThe expressions of TNF-α and CD105 were higher in prostate cancer (41.72±8.67, 20.15±2.67) than those in benign prostatic hyperplasia (21.01±3.85, 4.34±1.67) (t'=13.990, P<0.001; t'=29.771, P<0.001). TNF-α and MVD were not correlated with age and size of tumor, but were positively correlated with tumor differentiation degree (rs=0.847, P<0.001; rs=0.776, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with clinical grades (rs=-0.769, P<0.001; rs=-0.842, P<0.001). ConclusionThe result indicates that over expression of TNF-α exists in prostate cancer. It may play an important role in the anginogenesis and carcinogenesis of prostate cancer.
ObjectiveTo explore the expressions of galectin-3 protein and CD105 protein in colorectal cancer and the relationship with clinicopathologic features. MethodsThe expressions of galectin-3 protein and CD105 protein 〔microvessel density (MVD)〕 were detected in 60 cases of colorectal cancer tissues, 30 cases of adenoma tissues, and 30 cases of normal mucosa tissues (at least 4 cm far from carcinoma) by MicrowaveEliVisionTM immunohistochemistry, and the relationship with clinicopathologic features was analyzed. ResultsThe expressions of galectin3 protein and MVD in normal mucosa tissues, adenoma tissues, and cancer tissues gradually increased (Plt;0.05). The expression of galectin-3 protein and MVD in colorectal cancer tissues were correlated to TNM stage, invasive depth, and lymph node metastasis (Plt;0.05， Plt;0.01), and the expression of glectin-3 protein was also correlated to differentiated degree (Plt;0.05). The expression of galectin-3 protein in colorectal cancer tissues was positively correlated to MVD (r=0.420， Plt;0.01). ConclusionsThe high expressions of galectin-3 protein and CD105 protein are correlated to the high invasion ability and lymph node metastasis, which may be potential sensitive index to predict the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer.
Objective To detect the expression of thromhospondin-1 （TSP-1） in gastric cancer and metastaticlymph node tissues， and to study its relationship of TSP-1 to clinicopathologic parameters or tumor angiogenesis. Methods The TSP-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） expressions and microvessel density （MVD） were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 72 specimens obtained by gastric resection from patients with gastric cancer， including corres-ponding adjacent normal gastric mucosa tissues （distant from cancer ≥5 cm） and lymph nodes surrounding cancer. A semiquantitative scoring system was used for evaluating the staining. The relationship of TSP-1 to VEGF expression， MVD， or clinicopathologic parameters was analyzed. Results ① TSP-1 positive expression rate was 45.8% （33/72） in the primary gastric cancer tissues， 90.3% （65/72） in the corresponding adjacent normal gastric mucosa tissues， and 50.8% （30/59） in the metastatic lymph nodes tissues. The expressions of TSP-1 in the primary gastric cancer tissues and metastatic lymph nodes tissues were significantly lower than those in the adjacent normal gastric mucosa tissues （χ2=32.710，P=0.000；χ2=25.298， P=0.000）. The expression of TSP-1 had no statistical significance in the primary gastric cancer tissues as compared with in the metastatic lymph nodes tissues （χ2=0.327， P=0.568）. ② The expression of TSP-1 in the metastatic lymph nodes tissues was significantly lower than that in the non-metastatic lymph nodes tissues （Z=-2.573， P=0.010）. ③The expression of TSP-1 in the primary gastric cancer tissues and metastatic lymph nodes tissues suggested a negative correlation with VEGF （rs=-0.309， P=0.008；rs=-0.269， P=0.040） and MVD （rs=-0.348， P=0.003；rs=-0.272， P=0.037）. Conclusions TSP-1 expression is down-regulated and has a negative correlation with VEGF and MVD in the primary gastric cancer and the metastatic lymph nodes tissues. According to the present results， it seems likely that TSP-1 is a tumor angiogenesis inhibitor.
Objective To explore the effect of toremifene on estrogen receptor （ER） expression and tumor micro-angiogenesis in rat Lewis lung carcinoma. Methods Cell suspension of rat Lewis lung carcinoma was implanted into 40 female Wistar rats subcutaneously. The rats were randomly divided into a control group，a estradiol group （0.006 mg/mL），a low dose toremifene group （0.25 mg/mL） and a high dose toremifene group （5 mg/mL）. Tumor size was measured every 3 days and the tumor growth curve was charted. On 15th day，the tumor weight and the growth inhibition rate were measured. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of estrogen receptor α （ERα），estrogen receptor β （ERβ），vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF），and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 （PECAM-1）. Integral optical density （IOD） of ERα，ERβ and VEGF was calculated by image analysis software. Quantitative method of Weidner with PECAM-1 was employed for microvessel density （MVD） count. Results Tumor size of the four groups all presented a quadratic function growth trend with time （Plt;0.05）. Tumor growth speed was slower in toremifene groups of low and high doses than that in the control group and the estradiol group. The growth inhibition rate of the estradiol group，the low dose toremifene group and the high dose toremifene group was －15.1%，22.6%，and 45.1%，respectively. The expressions of ERα，VEGF，and MVD in the estradiol group were significantly higher than those in the control group，the low dose toremifene group and the high dose toremifene group （all Plt;0.05）. The expressions of ERα，VEGF，and MVD in the low dose toremifene group were significantly lower than those in control group，but higher than those in high dose toremifene group （all Plt;0.05）.The expression of ERα was positively related to VEGF （r=0.664，Plt;0.05） and MVD（r=0.593，Plt;0.05）. Conclusion Toremifene can inhibit tumor growth，which maybe involved in inhibiting ERα mediated VEGF expression.
Objective To study the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)，endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human gastric cancer and their relationship with tumor angiogenesis and to investigate the interaction of NOS and VEGF in gastric cancer. Methods The expression and distribution of VEGF, iNOS and eNOS in 34 gastric cancer specimens were detected with immunohistochemistry. Microvessel density (MVD) was counted with FⅧRAg immune specific staining. Results The expression rates of iNOS, eNOS and VEGF in 34 gastric cancers were 73.5%, 82.4% and 91.2% respectively. The expression of VEGF had a significant positive relation with iNOS, but not with eNOS. The MVDs of VEGF or iNOS positive gastric cancers were obviously higher than those of VEGF or iNOS negative gastric cancers. There was no significant difference between the MVDs of eNOS positive gastric cancers and eNOS negative ones. Conclusion MVD increases with increase of expression of VEGF and iNOS in gastric cancer. It is indicated that VEGF and iNOS can promote gastric cancer angiogenesis. VEGF and iNOS have a significant positive correlation, which suggests that in human gastric cancer, iNOS plays an important role in the production and action of VEGF.
ObjectiveTo observe the changes of macular vascular density of hypertensive patients without obvious hypertensive retinopathy (HRP).MethodsTwenty-three patients (hypertension group) diagnosed as grade 2 or grade 3 essential hypertension in Cardiology Department of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January to April 2019 were enrolled in the study. Among them, there were 13 males and 10 females. The mean age was 61.6 ± 5.6 years, and the mean BCVA was 0.74 ± 0.16. The course of hypertension was more than 7 years; Keith Wagener (K-W) grade was 0 or 1. Fifteen age-matched people without hypertension were selected as the control group, among which included 8 males and 7 females. Their average age was 59.7 ± 4.4 years and the average BCVA was 0.79 ± 0.17, the K-W grades were 0. There was no significant difference (P=0.265, 1.000, 0.563) between the two groups in age (t=1.739), sex ratio (χ2=0.036) or BCVA (t=0.585). All subjects were examined by BCVA, fundus photography and OCTA. OCTA scanned the macular area in the range of 3 mm × 3 mm. The software automatically divided the image into two concentric circles with the macular fovea as the center, which are the inner ring with a diameter of 1 mm (foveal area) and the outer ring with a diameter of 1-3 mm. The blood flow density of the whole, temporal, upper, nasal and lower capillary layers within 3 mm of the macular area, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, central foveal retinal thickness (CFT) were measured.ResultsSignificant differences were observed in the vascular densities of total, temporal, nasal and inferior area of maculas (t=2.188, 2.472, 5.105, 2.734; P=0.037, 0.020, 0.000, 0.010) between the two groups, while no significant differences were evidenced in foveal vascular densities and superior vascular densities (t=0.575, 0.140; P=0.570, 0.889). There was no significant difference in FAZ area or CFT between the two groups (t=0.367, 0.753; P=0.714, 0.457). Macular arches were intact in all hypertension patients.ConclusionsThe vascular densities of total, temporal, nasal and inferior area of maculas in the hypertension patients without HRP decreased. The area of FAZ did not expand, and the structures of macular arch ring were normal.
Microvascular dysfunction is a key pathological mechanism of diabetic retinopathy (DR). In recent years, it has been found that the phenomenon of "metabolic memory" is prevalent in diabetic patients, and diabetic microangiopaplasia cannot be avoided even if patients’ blood glucose is well controlled. Therefore, it is necessary to explore DR from a genetic perspective. miR-126 is the unique microRNA specifically expressed in vascular endothelial cells, which is closely related to the formation of neovascularization and can affect the stability of DR microvessels as well as the germination and migration of endothelial cells, and its gene level is significantly negatively correlated with the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor. The potential value of intracellular and circulating miR-126 in the regulation of DR microvascular homeostasis, early diagnosis and treatment, and monitoring of disease course has attracted great attention. However, studies in this area are mostly hypothesis-driven and still have some limitations. It is believed that with the rapid development of genomics, the miRNA spectrum and its molecular mechanism in eye development and eye diseases will gradually become clear, which may lead to a breakthrough in the intervention of individual refractory retinal diseases and establish a new miRNA diagnosis and treatment method in the future.
Objective To observe the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and CD31 in portal vein and surrounding tissues of rats during the formation process of cavernoustransformation of portal vein （CTPV）， and try to search the relationship between NF-κB， VEGF， and the angiogenesisof portal areas， as well as the significance and the role of NF-κB and VEGF in the formation process of CTPV. Methods One hundred and ten Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly （random number method） divided into sham operation group and model group. The partial constriction operations on portal vein were performed in model rats with a blunt 21Gcaliber to establish CTPV animal models （model group）， while the exploratory operations on portal vein， not constriction，were performed in rats of sham operation group. All specimens （portal vein and surrounding tissues） were fixed in formalinand made into paraffin blocks. Each specimen was tested by immunohistochemistry for the expressions of NF-κB， VEGF， and CD31， then optical density （OD） of NF-κB expression and the mean integral optical density （IOD） of VEGF expressionwere measured by using Image Pro Plus 6.0 software， and microvessel density （MVD） was calculated under microscope. Results Nucleoplasm ratio of OD value of NF-κB， mean IOD value of VEGF， and MVD value in 1， 2， 3， 4， and 6 weeks after operation didn’t significantly differed from that of before operation in sham operation group （P＞0.05）， but higher at all time points after operation in model group （P＜0.01）. Compared with sham operation group， nucleoplasm ratio of OD value of NF-κB， mean IOD value of VEGF， and MVD value were significantly higher in 1， 2， 3， 4， and 6 weeks after operation in model group （P＜0.01）. NF-κB and VEGF， NF-κB and MVD， VEGF and MVD were positively correlated with each other （r=0.654 6，P＜0.01；r=0.620 7， P＜0.01；r=0.636 9， P＜0.01） in model group. Conclusion NF-κB and VEGF may relate to the formation of CTPV， and may involve in the angiogenesis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and cyclooxygen-ase-2 (COX-2) protein and microvessel density (MVD), and to explore their function and mechanism in the multistep process of gastric cancer. MethodsThe expressions of KGF and COX-2 protein in 64 samples of gastric cancer and 30 cases of normal gastric mucosa tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The MVD was detected by staining the endothelial cells in microvessles using anti-CD34 antibody. ResultsThe positive rate of KGF and COX-2 protein expression in gastric cancer were 65.6% (42/64) and 79.7% (51/64), respectively, which was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa tissues 〔(23.3%, 7/30), P=0.046; (13.3%, 4/30), P=0.008〕. The MVD of gastric cancer was 31.8±8.0, which was significantly higher than that of normal gastric mucosa tissues (14.3±6.1), P=0.000. The MVD in gastric cancer with coexpressive KGF and COX-2 protein was 35.9±5.7, which was significant higher than that with non-coexpressive KGF and COX-2 protein (25.7±7.0), P=0.000. Both the expression of KGF and COX-2 protein were related to the invasion of serosa, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (Plt;0.05, Plt;0.01). The MVD of gastric cancer tissues was related to lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (Plt;0.05), but unrelated to patient’s age, gender, and differentiation of tumor (Pgt;0.05). The co-expression of KGF and COX-2 protein was frequently found in patients with deeper invasion of serosa, lymph node metastasis, and higher TNM staging (Plt;0.05), but which was not associated withpatient’sage, gender, and differentiation of tumor (Pgt;0.05). The expression of KGF protein was positively correlated to the expression of COX-2 protein (r=0.610, P=0.000). There was positive correlation between MVD and the expression of KGF (r=0.675, P=0.000) and COX-2 protein (r=0.657, P=0.000) in gastric cancer, respectively. ConclusionKGF and COX-2 highly expressed by gastric cancer, which may be involved in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer by synergisticly promoting the angiogenesis.
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of reducing the intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) by Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) combined with cytotoxic agent in xenotransplanted human breast infiltrating duct carcinoma in nude mice. MethodsSixteen female nude mice were randomly divided into 4 groups to receive cyclophosphamid (16 mg/kg,qd) combined with Rg3 (10 mg/kg, qd),Rg3(10 mg/kg,qd) alone,cyclophosphamid (16 mg/kg,qd) alone and 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (0.5 ml,qd) respectively for 55 days. Breast cancer mass were weighed and sampled for light microscopic observation. The intratumor MVD was examined by immunohistochemical staining. ResultsThe tumor weight of treated group was significantly lower than that of control group. The tumor weight of the Rg3 combined with CTX group was lower than that of Rg3 group. The MVD value of Rg3 group was significantly lower than that of CTX group and control group. The MVD was significantly reduced in the Rg3 combined with CTX group than that in the others.ConclusionRg3 combined with CTX can inhibit the growth of xenotransplanted human breast infiltrating duct carcinoma, and reduce the intratumoral MVD.