The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in port-wine stains

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Oct;139(4):560-4. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2008.07.015.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGF-R2) in port-wine stains (PWSs).

Design: An immunohistochemistry (IHC) study on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens.

Methods: Representative sections from surgical resection specimens of 12 PWS patients and 12 control specimens stained with routine IHC by using polyclonal anti-VEGF and anti-VEGF-R2 antibodies. Slides were evaluated semiquantitatively for the intensity of staining for VEGF and VEGF-R2 by using a scoring system varying from 0 to 3+.

Results: PWS specimens showed statistically significant overexpression of both VEGF and VEGF-R2 molecules when compared with control specimens (P < 0.005).

Conclusions: VEGF and its receptor may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PWS. It is possible that PWS may progress by hyperplasia in addition to hypertrophy. VEGF-R blockade may have a potential role as a targeted approach in the treatment of this disfiguring condition in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Paraffin Embedding
  • Port-Wine Stain / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor