J Korean Orthop Res Soc.  2001 Oct;4(2):114-120.

Expression of Vasculoendothelial Growth Factor in Distraction Osteogenesis of Rat Tibia

• Cho TJ
• Choi IH
• Chung CY
• Yoo WJ
• Sung H

Abstract

PURPOSE
In order to delineate its function in distraction osteogenesis, the temporal and spatial expression patterns of vasculoendothelial growth factor(VEGF) mRNA and protein were investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Distraction osteogenesis was carried out in the tibiae of Sprague-Dawley rat using bilateral monofixators. Total RNA was prepared from the bone tissue including distraction gap at postoperative 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks and in unoperative one. The temporal pattern of mRNA expression was observed using reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction. Spatial expression of mRNA and protein of VEGF were observed using in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS
VEGF mRNA was expressed throughout the whole procedure, and the relative dominance of splicing variants was changing during distraction osteogenesis. VEGF expression of both mRNA and protein was highest in the immature osteoblasts at the primary matrix front.
CONCLUSION
These data suggest that VEGF plays an important role in distraction osteogenesis, not only of angiogenesis but also of osteoblastic differentiation.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Bone and Bones
Immunohistochemistry
Osteoblasts
Osteogenesis, Distraction*
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Reverse Transcription
RNA
RNA, Messenger
Tibia*
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
RNA
RNA, Messenger
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A