- Author:
Hu An CHUN
1
;
Byung Ho SON
;
Beom Seok KWAK
;
Sei Hyun AHN
;
Gyung Yub GONG
;
Ho Sung YOON
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Breast cancer; VEGF-C; LYVE-1
- MeSH: Breast Neoplasms*; Breast*; Cell Line; Estrogens; Humans; Paraffin; Retrospective Studies; RNA, Messenger; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C*
- From:Journal of Breast Cancer 2006;9(1):47-54
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the expression of VEGF-C (vascular endothelial growth factor-C) and LYVE-1 (lymphatic vessel endothelial HA receptor-1) mRNA in human breast cancer, and to compare the expression of VEGF-C protein and VEGF-C, LYVE-1 mRNA with the clinico-pathological outcomes. METHODS: RT-PCR was carried on the VEGF-C, LYVE-1 mRNA drawn from three samples of adjacent normal breast tissues, the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and 39 breast cancer tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was done to detect the expression of VEGF-C protein in 39 cancer tissues and in 5 benign tissues with using well preserved, paraffin embedded tissues. The clinico-pathological findings were retrospectively reviewed for menopausal status, lymphatic invasion, hormonal status, the expression of p53 and c-erbB2. RESULTS: RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of VEGF-C mRNA in 22 of 39 (56.4%) and LYVE-1 mRNA in 19 of 39 breast cancer tissues (48.7%). The expression of VEGF-C mRNA was positive in all cases except for one in LYVE-1 mRNA positive case, this revealed good correlation between the two molecules. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that VEGF-C protein was expressed only in the breast cancer cells, with specific VEGF-C staining evident in 10 of 39 (25.6%). There was no significant correlation between VEGF-C, LYVE-1 mRNA expressions and the other pathologic variables. However, VEGF-C protein expression was negative in the group with a postmenopausal status, positive estrogen receptor and negative c-erbB2 significantly. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF-C mRNA seems to be related to the lymphangiogenetic marker-LYVE-1 mRNA and the amplification of the VEGF-C may be correlated with some clinico-pathological factors in the breast cancer.