Relationship between Aquaporin-4 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Cerebral Edema Induced by Gliomas

Objective To study the molecular mechanisms of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in cerebral edema,and the relationshoip between AQP4 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Methods The tissues of glioma,a total of 65 patients (WHO grade Ⅰ in 6 cases,grade Ⅱ in 18 cases,grade Ⅲ in 11 cases,and grade Ⅳ in 30 cases),were obtained from those who received the operation in the Department of Neurosurgery of West China Hospital from October 2007 to June 2008. The immunofluorescence cytochemistry method was used to detect the positive expression of AQP4 protein and VEGF protein in gliomas. Then it was analyzed on the relationship between AQP4 protein and VEGF protein. Results Immunofluorescence cytochemistry staining of the slices showed that AQP4 protein mainly expressed in the cellular membrane of the normal brain tissue,and slightly expressed in cytoplasm and caryon,but in glioplastic cell,AQP4 protein mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. The expression of AQP4 in tumor had positive correlation with VEGF (r= 0.877,P=0.000). Conclusions In gliomas,especially in high grade gliomas,AQP4 protein mainly express in the cytoplasm,and the expression of AQP4 positively correlate with VEGF.