Expression changes of VEGF-A and VEGF-C and their correlation with angiogenesis in astrocytic tumor

Objective To observe the expression changes of vascular endothelial growth factor-A( VEGF-A) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C( VEGF-C) in low-grade and high-grade astrocytic gliomas and their correlation with angiogenesis,which will provide the basis for target therapy and prognosis of astrocytomas. Methods Ninety-three astrocytic glioma samples and 9 normal brain tissues from spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage were obtained. The protein expression and microvessel density( MVD) of VEGF-A and VEGF-C was examined with immunohistochemical staining method( S-P). The mRNA expression of VEGF-A and VEGF-C was examined with fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction( RT-PCR). Statistical analysis was employed to determine the reciprocal correlation between VEGF-A and VEGF-C,and their correlation with WHO grades and MVD. Results The positive expression rates of VEGF-A,VEGF-C,and MVD in the astrocytic tumor tissues were significantly higher than those of the normal brain tissues,and the degree of expression was in accordance with the malignance of tumors( all P 0. 01). The expression of VEGF-A,VEGF-C protein was correlated with MVD( all P 0. 01). Meanwhile,the expression of VEGF-A,VEGF-C mRNA was higher than that of the normal tissues and the degree of expression was in accordance with the malignance of tumors( all P 0. 05),and the VEGF-A mRNA was significantly correlated with VEGF-C mRNA( all P 0. 05).Conclusion The expression of VEGF-A and VEGF-C is up-regulated and is correlated with the malignancy of astrocytic tumor,which shows a close correlation between each other as well as their correlation with tumor angiogenesis.