Expressions of VEGF and MMP-9 in human gliomas and their meanings

Objective To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)in human gliomas and their relationship with angiogenesis,peritumorous brain edema and the malignant degree of glioma.Methods Expressions of VEGF and MMP-9 in 30 specimens of gliomas tissues proved by surgery and pathological examination and 23 specimens of peritumorous tissues of the gliomas were determined by immunohistochemical technique.The microvessel density(MVD)in the above-mentioned specimens was determined by the technique of immunohistochemical staining of vascular endothelial cells labelled with CD34 antibody.The edema index(EI)was determined buy CT and MRI.The ultrastructures of both the tumor and peritumorous edema brain tissues were observed under an electron microscope.Six specimens of normal brain tissues derived from the patients with brain injury served as control.Results MVD,which was significantly higher in the gradesⅢ~Ⅳgliomas than that in the gradesⅠ~Ⅱgliomas(P0.01),was significantly higher in the tumorous body tissues of than that in the peritumorous edema brain tissues of gradesⅢ~Ⅳgliomas(P0.05).In the gliomas the expression levels of VEGF and MMP-9 were positively related to MVD(P0.01),which was positively related to EI(P0.01).EI in gradesⅢ~Ⅳgliomas was significantly higher than that in gradesⅠ~Ⅱgliomas(P0.01).In the gliomas and peritumorous tissues with significant edema there were many vesicular vacuolar organellae in the endothelial cytoplasm and wormhole-like caverns of irregular size in the basilar membranes.Conclusions It is suggested that VEGF and MMP-9,which play the important roles in the angiogenesis of the gliomas and the pathogenesis of peritumorous edema,may promote the invasive growth of the gliomas.