In order to study the angiogenesis in endometriosis, the samples of eutopic and ectopic endometria from patients with endometriosis were quantitatively analyzed by color morphometric image system (CMIS) for vascular surface area, and by examining endometrial blood vessel for microvessel density (MVD). The results showed that within each menstrual phase the vascular surface area and MVD were significantly higher in ectopic endometria with endometriosis than those in eutopic endometria with endometriosis or normal endometrium (P < 0.05). It is concluded that angiogenesis might be involved in the development of endometriosis.
Adult ; Endometriosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Endometrium ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Pelvis

Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; etiology ; pathology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic

In order to study the angiogenesis in endometriosis, the samples of eutopic and ectopic endometria from patients with endometriosis were quantitatively analyzed by color morphometric image system (CMIS) for vascular surface area, and by examining endometrial blood vessel for microvessel density (MVD). The results showed that within each menstrual phase the vascular surface area and MVD were significantly higher in ectopic endometria with endometriosis than those in eutopic endometria with endometriosis or normal endometrium (P < 0.05). It is concluded that angiogenesis might be involved in the development of endometriosis.
Endometriosis/etiology ; Endometriosis/*pathology ; Endometrium/*blood supply ; Menstrual Cycle ; *Neovascularization, Pathologic ; *Pelvis

Although hepatic stellate cells, which are liver specific pericytes, have been recognized within the vasculature of the sinusoid for more than one hundred years, the biology and function of these cells is unclear. Recent studies have highlighted the key role of stellate cells in a number of fundamental processes that include wound healing/fibrosis, vasoregulation, and vascular remodeling/angiogenesis. In the liver, these processes are particularly important in the development of cirrhosis, portal hypertension and cancer. This article highlights the recent advances in our understanding of the biology of hepatic stellate cells and discusses some of the recently-ascribed functions that are relevant to liver fibrosis, portal hypertension and cancer angiogenesis.
Cell Communication/physiology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/*etiology ; Kupffer Cells/*physiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/*etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/blood supply/*etiology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/etiology ; Pericytes/*physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate mRNA expression of integrin beta3 in gastric carcinoma, its correlation with microvascular density (MVD), growth-pattern, invasion, metastasis and prognosis.

METHODSIn situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to study the expression of integrin beta3 mRNA and CD34 protein in 105 gastric carcinoma specimens.

RESULTSIn situ hybridization revealed a 30% (6/20) positive rate of integrin beta3 mRNA in non-tumor gastric mucosa, which was significantly lower than that of the gastric cancer group (61.0%, 64/105, chi(2) = 8.85, P = 0.037); In infiltrating type cases (70.2%, 40/57), stage III - IV (72.1%, 44/61), lymphatic metastasis (68.6%, 48/70) and distant metastasis (85.7%, 36/42), the positive expression rates were significantly higher than those of the expanding type (chi(2) = 14.97, P = 0.002), stage I - II (chi(2) = 15.21, P = 0.015), non-lymphatic metastasis (chi(2) = 17.89, P = 0.025) and non-distant metastasis (chi(2) = 20.22, P = 0.005; chi(2) = 21.35, P = 0.035); its mean MVD was also significantly higher than that of the expanding type (t = 10.105, P = 0.001), stage I approximately II (t = 5.961, P = 0.001), non-lymphatic metastasis (t = 3.819, P = 0.01)and non-distant metastasis (t = 10.578, P = 0.001; t = 7.882, P = 0.001), respectively; The mean MVD (41.02 +/- 8.55)/0.72 mm(2) of the integrin beta3 mRNA positive expression group was significantly higher than (25.26 +/- 11.25)/0.72 mm(2) of the negative expression group. There was a positive relation between MVD and integrin beta3 mRNA expression in the tumor (r(s) = 0.316, P = 0.001). The mean survival time in cases with positive integrin beta3 mRNA expression or MVD value >or= 39.5 was significantly shorter than that in cases with negative expression or MVD value < 39.5.

CONCLUSIONSIntegrin beta3 expression correlates with enhanced tumor angiogenesis and may play a role in the invasion and nodal metastasis of gastric carcinoma, therefore it may serve as a prognostic marker of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Integrin beta3 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Ang-2 on angiogenesis in gastric cancer.

METHODSThe expression of Ang-2 mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR and the expression of VEGF and CD34 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 36 cases of gastric cancer tissues and their paired adjacent gastric mucosa.

RESULTSThe expression of Ang-2 mRNA was found both in gastric cancer and their paired adjacent gastric mucosa; the correlationship between the general expression levels of Ang-2 mRNA and microvessel density (MVD) in gastric cancer tissues was not found. However, in 27 cases whose Ang-2 mRNA expression levels in cancer tissues were lower than those in adjacent gastric mucosa. A significant positive correlation between the expression level of Ang-2 mRNA and MVD in the tumor tissues was found (r = 0.411, P < 0.05). In these 27 cases, the MVD in the gastric cancer tissues with positive VEGF expression (45.45 +/- 10.30) was higher than that with negative VEGF expression (30.15 +/- 8.69, P < 0.05), whereas in the other 9 cases whose expression levels of Ang-2 mRNA in cancer tissues were higher than those in adjacent gastric mucosa, a significant negative correlation between expression level of Ang-2 mRNA and MVD in the tumor tissues (r = -0.758, P < 0.05), but without correlation between the MVD and VEGF.

CONCLUSIONUnder the conditions that the expression of Ang-2 mRNA in cancer tissues was lower than that in adjacent gastric mucosa, VEGF could promote the sprouting of new vessels along with Ang-2 upregulation. But under the conditions that the expression of Ang-2 mRNA in cancer tissues was higher than that in adjacent gastric mucosa, Ang-2 inhibited angiogenesis. Angiopoietin-2 may play a dual effect on angiogenesis in gastric cancer.

Angiopoietin-2 ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in laryngeal carcinoma and its relations to clinical and pathophysiological characteristics, and determine the effect of HIF-1alpha, VEGF in the processing of angiogenesis. To offer the theoretical basis for the pathogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma and the new ideas for early diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma. METHOD: The major was divided into two groups:60 specimens of laryngeal carcinoma and 20 specimens of normal tissues beside the carcinoma. The expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF was detected in 60 specimens of laryngeal carcinoma tissues and 20 specimens of normal tissues beside the carcinoma as controls by immunohistochemical staining technique. Microvessel was stained by antifactor CD105 antibody to analyse microvessel density. RESULT: Positive rate of HIF-1alpha and VEGF protein expression was 71.67% (43/60) and 65.00% (39/60) respectively in laryngeal carcinoma tissues, which was significantly higher than that in normal laryngeal tissues (10.00% and 20.00%, respectively). HIF-1alpha expression was closely related to P-TNM stage, the grade of cell differentiation and lymph node status; VEGF expression was closely related to P-TNM stage and lymph node status. The coincidence rate of the expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF was 56.67% (34/60), showing a close relation between them. MVD was much higher in tumor with HIF-1alpha(+)/VEGF(+) than that in tumor with HIF-1alpha(--)/VEGF(--) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION HIF-1alpha protein and VEGF was over-expressed in laryngeal carcinoma. The positive expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and MVD in laryngeal carcinoma have a synergistic effect on the neovascularization of the tumor.
Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Larynx ; metabolism ; Male ; Microvessels ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between hypoxia-inducible foctor-1α (HIF-1α) and neovascularization in early atherosclerosis plaques by establishing rabbit carotid atherosclerosis models, and to observe the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the detection of neovascularization. METHODS: We provided high-fat diet combined with the implantation of silicone rubber ring to establish carotid atherosclerosis in rat models. On the 14th and 28th days, we detected neovascularization in the carotid atherosclerotic plaques by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, obtained the peak intensity (PI) of the contrast agent in the plaques by time-intensity curve (TIC) and analyzed the difference. We also tested the level of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), α-actin, and RAM-11 by immunohistochemical method in each group, analyzed their correlation, and the correlation between PI and CD31 expression. RESULTS: On the 14th day, contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed the neovascularization in the carotid atherosclerotic plaques. On the 14th and 28th days, the intensity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed significant difference, the mean optical density of HIF-1α, VEGF, CD31, RAM-11, and α-actin within the carotid atherosclerotic plaques also showed statistical difference. The expressions between HIF-1α and VEGF, HIF-1α and CD31, HIF-1α and RAM-11, HIF-1α and α-actin, as well as PI and CD31 showed highly positive correlations. CONCLUSION During the process of atherosclerosis evolution, neovascularization in the atherosclerotic plaques has come into being in the early period, and HIF-1α in early atherosclerosis can promote the formation of neovascularization. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can detect the dynamic changes of neovascularization within early atherosclerotic plaques.
Animals ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo review the effect of endothelial progenitor cells in neovascularization as well as their application to the therapy of tumors.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were mainly from PubMed for relevant English language articles published from 1997 to 2009. The search term was "endothelial progenitor cells".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles regarding the role of endothelial progenitor cells in neovascularization and their application to the therapy of tumors were selected.

RESULTSEndothelial progenitor cells isolated from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood can proliferate, mobilize and differentiate into mature endothelial cells. Experiments suggest endothelial progenitor cells take part in forming the tumor vascular through a variety of mechanisms related to vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinases, chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 and its receptor C-X-C receptor-4, erythropoietin, Notch signal pathway and so on. Evidence demonstrates that the number and function change of endothelial progenitor cells in peripheral blood can be used as a biomarker of the response of cancer patients to anti-tumor therapy and predict the prognosis and recurrence. In addition, irradiation temporarily increased endothelial cells number and decreased the endothelial progenitor cell counts in animal models. Meanwhile, in preclinical experiments, therapeutic gene-modified endothelial progenitor cells have been approved to attenuate tumor growth and offer a novel strategy for cell therapy and gene therapy of cancer.

CONCLUSIONSEndothelial progenitor cells play a particular role in neovascularization and have attractively potential prognostic and therapeutic applications to malignant tumors. However, a series of problems, such as the definitive biomarkers of endothelial progenitor cells, their interrelationship with radiotherapy and their application in cell therapy and gene therapy of tumors, need further investigation.

Animals ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; physiology ; Genetic Therapy ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; blood supply ; therapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; physiology ; Stem Cells ; physiology

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to investigate the prevalence and causative factors of extrahepatic arterial blood supply to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at its initial presentation and during chemoembolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 1998 and April 2000, consecutive 479 patients with newly diagnosed HCC were prospectively enrolled into this study. A total of 1629 sessions of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) were performed in these patients (range: 1-15 sessions; mean: 3.4 sessions) until April 2004. For each TACE procedure, we determined the potential extrahepatic collateral arteries (ExCAs) depending on the location of the tumor, and we performed selective angiography of all suspected collaterals that could supply the tumor. The prevalence of ExCAs and the causative factors were analyzed. RESULTS: At initial presentation, 82 (17%) of these 479 patients showed 108 ExCAs supplying tumors. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size (p < 0.01), patient age (p = 0.02), a surface location (p < 0.01), and a bare area location (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with the presence of ExCAs. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only tumor size was predictive of ExCA formation (p < 0.01, odds ratio = 1.737, confidence interval: 1.533 to 1.969). During repeated TACE sessions, 97 additional ExCAs were detected in 70 (14%) patients. The cumulative probability of ExCAs in patients with a large tumor (> or = 5 cm) was significantly higher than that for those patients with a small tumor (< 5 cm) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The presence of ExCAs supplying HCC is rather common, and the tumor size is a significant causative factor for the development of these collateral arteries.
Neovascularization, Pathologic/*etiology/physiopathology/radiography ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Logistic Models ; Liver Neoplasms/physiopathology/*therapy ; Humans ; Female ; Collateral Circulation/drug effects/physiology ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/*methods ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology/*therapy ; Angiography ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged ; Adult