Abstract
Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) has been shown to act as an angiogenic promoter in embryonic angiogenesis by promoting vascular branching, pericyte recruitment and endothelial survival. Ang-1 expression has not been examined in human esophageal cancer. We examined Ang-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in tumors from 45 esophageal cancer patients who underwent surgical resection. Forty (88.9%) of the 45 esophageal cancers revealed Ang-1 gene expression. VEGF121, VEGF165 and VEGF189 isoforms were detected in 93.3 (42/45), 55.6 (25/45) and 26.7% (12/45) of the cases, respectively. Ang-1 gene expression was significantly correlated with VEGF121 and VEGF165 gene expression (P=0.0289 and P=0.0127, respectively, Fisher's test). The results suggest that Ang-1 is associated with neovascularization in the cancer stroma through VEGF net-works in esophageal cancer.
MeSH terms
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Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / biosynthesis
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Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / genetics*
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Angiopoietin-1
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
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Endothelial Growth Factors / biosynthesis
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Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics*
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Esophageal Neoplasms / genetics*
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Esophageal Neoplasms / metabolism
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Humans
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / biosynthesis
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
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Lymphokines / biosynthesis
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Lymphokines / genetics*
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Male
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Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
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Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
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Protein Isoforms / genetics
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Protein Isoforms / metabolism
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Substances
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ANGPT1 protein, human
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Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
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Angiopoietin-1
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Endothelial Growth Factors
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Lymphokines
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Protein Isoforms
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VEGFA protein, human
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors