Korean J Hematol.  2003 Aug;38(3):157-163.

The Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)in Aplastic Anemia

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Chonbuk, Korea. jykwak@moak.chonbuk.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Pathology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Chonbuk, Korea.
  • 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Chonbuk, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic peptide with biologic effects that include regulation of hematopoietic stem cell development, extracellular matrix remodeling, and inflammatory cytokine generation. VEGF plasma levels are elevated in circulation during tumor growth and bone marrow proliferative status. In this study, to investigate the role of VEGF expression in patients with aplastic anemia (AA), VEGF protein expression and microvessel density (MVD) were evaluated.
METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining for detecting VEGF protein was performed by the labeled avidin-biotin method on the formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded bone marrow biopsy samples of 25 patients with severe AA and 10 normal controls. Microvessels were scored in at least 3 areas (x200 fields) of the highest MVD in representative sections of each bone marrow biopsy specimen using immunohistochemistry for CD34 antigen.
RESULTS
In AA, megakaryocytes and histiocytes expressed less intense cytoplasmic VEGF than in control (P < 0.05). However, plasma cells had higher VEGF immunoreactivity in AA than in control. MVD was significantly lower in patients with AA (21.43+/-7.24), compared to controls (27.65+/-3.44) (P < 0.05). MVD had a strong correlation with bone marrow cellularity. Also, the degree of VEGF immunoreactivity was correlated with bone marrow cellularity and MVD.
CONCLUSION
Angiogenesis as assessed by MVD and VEGF expression seems to have a role in the pathogenesis of AA.

Keyword

Aplastic anemia; VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor); MVD (microvessel density)

MeSH Terms

Anemia, Aplastic*
Antigens, CD34
Biopsy
Bone Marrow
Cytoplasm
Extracellular Matrix
Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Histiocytes
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Megakaryocytes
Microvessels
Paraffin
Plasma
Plasma Cells
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
Antigens, CD34
Paraffin
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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