EXPRESSION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF) IN HEMANGIOMAS AND INTERMEDIATE VASCULAR LESIONS

between hemangiomas and angiosarcomas. Angiogenesis is characterized by development of new blood vessels through the division or migration of pre-existing vasculature. VEGF deserves attention because it is associated with the stimulation of endothelial cell proliferation and vascular permeability and promotion of angiogenesis. OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in pyogenic granulomas, hemangiomas and intermediate vascular tumors (hemangioendotheliomas, hemangiopericytomas) and to highlight the possible role of VEGF in diagnosis of each of these tumors MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis of 20 cases of vascular and intermediate vascular tumors, with one section from each specimen (20 sections for VEGF antibody) and 5 control cases. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a Labeled Strept-Avidin Biotin method (LSAB). RESULTS: Normal gingival tissue showed mild immunoreactivity for VEGF. All the examined cases showed strong positive expression for VEGF antibody, with different intensities. CONCLUSIONS: The marker VEGF was overexpressed in vascular and intermediate vascular tumors than normal gingival tissue