Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its cognate receptors in human pheochromocytomas

Kazuhiro Takekoshi; Kazumasa Isobe; Tohru Yashiro; Hisato Hara; Kiyoaki Ishii; Yasushi Kawakami; Toshiaki Nakai; Yukichi Okuda

doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2003.07.036

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its cognate receptors in human pheochromocytomas

Life Sci. 2004 Jan 2;74(7):863-71. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2003.07.036.

Authors

Kazuhiro Takekoshi¹, Kazumasa Isobe, Tohru Yashiro, Hisato Hara, Kiyoaki Ishii, Yasushi Kawakami, Toshiaki Nakai, Yukichi Okuda

Affiliation

¹ Department of Clinical Pathology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan. K-takemd@md.tsukuba.ac.jp

PMID: 14659975
DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2003.07.036

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas are well-vascularized tumors, suggesting that a potent angiogenic factor may be involved in the mechanism of their formation. As vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen for vascular endothelial cells, here we have investigated the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and the mRNA expression of its two receptors (Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR) in pheochromocytomas tissue. An increase in VEGF mRNA (mainly isoforms VEGF(121) and VEGF(165)) and in VEGF protein expression were observed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, compared to normal adrenomedullary tissue. Flk-1/KDR, and Flt-1 levels of mRNA were also increased markedly in tumors and correlated with levels of VEGF mRNA. Therefore, we speculate that upregulation of VEGF expression and its receptors might be important in the pathogenesis of pheochromocytomas.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / genetics
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / metabolism*
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / pathology
Adrenal Glands / metabolism
Blotting, Western
DNA Primers / chemistry
Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Humans
Pheochromocytoma / genetics
Pheochromocytoma / metabolism*
Pheochromocytoma / pathology
Protein Isoforms / genetics
Protein Isoforms / metabolism
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
RNA, Neoplasm / analysis
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Up-Regulation
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / genetics
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism

Substances

DNA Primers
Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Protein Isoforms
RNA, Messenger
RNA, Neoplasm
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
FLT1 protein, human
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2