VEGF expression,angiogenesis,and cell proliferation in human brain astrocytomas

Objective To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in human brain astrocytomas and its relation with angiogenesis and cell proliferation.Methods The expressions of VEGF and PCNA in 64 astrocytomas were examined by S-P immunohistochemical analysis,the vascular development was measured by microvessel counting(MVC) by immunostaining with CD31 monoclonal antibody.Results Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF showed the distribution of VEGF protein was mainly in tumor cells and endothelial cells of high-grade glioma,whereas it was only weakly expressed in low-grade glioma,and VEGF protein expression was significantly positive correlated with that of PCNA(r=0.991,P0.01).MVC in high-grade glioma was considerably higher than those in low-grade glioma(P0.05).Conclusion VEGF may contribute to the progression of human glioma and play an important role in leading to angiogenesis.PCNA was involved in malignancy of astrocytoma.