Differential expression and clinical significance of IGF2BP3 in peritoneal dialysate of patients with varying duration of peritoneal dialysis.

This study aims to investigate the differential expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) in the peritoneal dialysate among patients with different durations of peritoneal dialysis and its association with the angiogenic marker vascular* endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the fibronectin (FN), and various clinical indicators. A cohort of 122 peritoneal dialysis patients was categorized into short-term (≤1 year, n = 33), mid-term (>1 and ≤5 years, n = 55), and long-term (>5 years, n = 34) groups based on dialysis duration. We utilized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot assays to quantify the levels of IGF2BP3, VEGF, and FN in the dialysate. Our findings showed a progressive increase in IGF2BP3 levels with the duration of PD, with the long-term group exhibiting significantly higher levels than both the short-term and mid-term groups (p < 0.001). A positive correlation between IGF2BP3 and VEGF (r = 0.386, p = 0.013), as well as between IGF2BP3 and FN (r = 0.340, p = 0.030), was observed. IGF2BP3 levels also correlated positively with serum creatinine, calcium, and phosphorus levels. In vitro analysis further confirmed that IGF2BP3 expression is enhanced in human peritoneal mesothelial cells under high-glucose conditions (p < 0.05). The study highlights the potential of IGF2BP3 in PD effluent as a biomarker for monitoring PF progression, with its expression significantly correlated with the duration of PD (Pearson r = 0.897, p < 0.001). In conclusion, our results underscore a correlation between elevated IGF2BP3 levels and PD duration, suggesting the clinical significance of IGF2BP3 as a biomarker for PF progression.

Polyphenols, Antioxidants, and Wound Healing of Lecythis pisonis Seed Coats.

To better use the Lecythis pisonis Cambess. biomass, this study investigates whether Sapucaia seed coats present wound healing properties. We analyzed the antibacterial, antioxidant, and wound healing-promoting potentials, plus cytotoxicity and stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-A. The chemical composition was analyzed by positive ion mode electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. A total of 19 compounds were identified, such as proanthocyanidin A1, procyanidins A1, B2, and C1, epigallocatechin, and kaempferol (p-coumaroyl) glycoside. Potent antioxidant strength/index was verified for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (IC50 = 0.99 µg/mL) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (IC50 = 1.09 µg/mL). The extract did not present cytotoxicity and promoted significant cell migration and/or proliferation of fibroblasts (p < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor-A was stimulated dose-dependently at 6 µg/mL (167.13 ± 8.30 pg/mL), 12.5 µg/mL (210.3 ± 14.2 pg/mL), and 25 µg/mL (411.6 ± 29.4 pg/mL). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) (0.002 µg/mL) was stimulated at 215.98 pg/mL. Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to the extract, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25 µg/mL. The identified compounds benefit the antioxidant activity, promoting hemostasis for the wound healing process, indicating that this extract has the potential for use in dermatological cosmetics.

Photocurrent Polarity Reversal Induced by Electron-Donor Release for the Highly Sensitive Photoelectrochemical Detection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor 165.

Photocurrent polarity reversal is a switching process between the anodic and cathodic pathways and is critical for eliminating false positivity and improving detection sensitivity in photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing. In this study, we construct a PEC sensor with excellent photocurrent polarity reversal induced by ascorbic acid (AA) as an electron donor with the energy level matching the photoactive material zirconium metal-organic framework (ZrMOF). The ZrMOF-modified electrode demonstrates cathodic photocurrent in the presence of O2 as an electron acceptor, while the anodic photocurrent is generated in the presence of AA, achieving photocurrent polarity reversal. By the in situ release of AA from AA-encapsulated apoferritin modified with DNA 2 (AA@APO-S2) as a detection tag in the presence of trypsin after the recognition of hairpin DNA-modified indium tin oxide to the reaction product of aptamer/DNA 1 with the target protein and the following rolling cycle amplification for introducing the detection tag to the sensing interface, the reversed photocurrent shows an enhanced photocurrent response to the target protein, leading to a highly sensitive PEC sensing strategy. This strategy realizes the detection of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 with good specificity, a wide linear range, and a low detection limit down to 5.3 fM. The actual sample analysis offers the detection results of the proposed PEC sensor comparable to those of commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests, indicating the promising application of the photocurrent polarity reversal-based PEC sensing strategy in biomolecule detection and clinical diagnosis.

[Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) : Compositional analysis with different dietary habits and timing of blood sampling]. / "Platelet-rich plasma" (PRP) : Analyse der Zusammensetzung bei unterschiedlichem Ernährungsverhalten und Blutentnahmezeitpunkt.

The variability of PRP is a major contributor to the lack of evidence regarding the therapeutic effect of PRP in musculoskeletal diseases. In a large study, we are currently investigating factors that may influence PRP variability. Interim results showed that concentrations of IL­6, but not IGF­1 or cellular constituents, were significantly decreased in PRP samples from vegans compared with omnivores and tended to be decreased compared to samples from vegetarians. This suggests that diet may have a significant influence on therapeutically active PRP constituents. However, the constituents studied here did not appear to be significantly affected by the timing of the sampling. Identification of significant variables affecting PRP composition will be critical to provide sufficient medical evidence for the therapeutic effects of PRP in orthopedic conditions.

Antioxidant and anticancer potential of ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower of Tecoma stans (Linn) and In Silico studies on phytoligands against Bcl 2 and VEGFR2 factors.

This study was designed to appraise the antioxidant and anticancer competence of solvent extracts of Tecoma stans (Linn) and analyze the phytoligands interaction against Bcl 2 VEGFR2 through in silico studies. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the ethyl acetate extract contains more number of pharmaceutically valuable phytochemicals than other solvent extracts. Among the various phytochemicals, flavonoid was found as a predominant component, and UV-Vis- spectrophotometer analysis initially confirmed it. Hence, the column chromatogram was performed to purify the flavonoid, and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed. It revealed that the flavonoid enriched fraction by compared with standard flavonoid molecules. About 84.69% and 80.43% of antioxidant activity were found from ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower at the dosage of 80 µg mL-1 with the IC50 value of 47.24 and 43.40 µg mL-1, respectively. In a dose-dependent mode, the ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower showed cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell line MCF 7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7) as up to 81.38% and 80.94% of cytotoxicity respectively. Furthermore, the IC50 was found as 208.507 µg mL-1 and 207.38 µg mL-1 for bark and flower extract correspondingly. About 10 medicinal valued flavonoid components were identified from bark (6) and flower (4) ethyl acetate extract through LC-MS analysis. Out of 10 components, the 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (ΔG -8.8) and Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (ΔG -8.3) had the competence to interact with Bcl 2 (B-Cell Lymphoma 2) and VEGFR2 (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2) respectively with more energy. Hence, these results confirm that the ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower of T. stans has significant medicinal potential and could be used as antioxidant and anticancer agent after some animal performance study.

Enrichment and detection of VEGF165 in blood samples on a microfluidic chip integrated with multifunctional units.

In this paper, a multifunctional microfluidic chip integrated with a centrifugal separation zone, aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) mixing zone and enrichment detection zone was proposed and fabricated. An automatic and efficient separation and quantitative analysis method for vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) in whole blood samples was established with the designed microfluidic chip. A blood sample was divided into blood cells and plasma in the centrifugation zone. In the ATPS mixing zone, plasma was mixed with PEG/KH2PO4 aqueous two-phase solution containing Apt-Au NP nanoprobes. In the enrichment detection zone, the mixture was separated on CN140 modified with a ZnO NP-anti VEGF165 nanostructure. The VEGF165 captured by Apt-Au NPs was distributed in the PEG phase, concentrated at the front of CN140 and combined with anti-VEGF165 to form a sandwich structure. The sensitive detection of VEGF165 was achieved through fluorescence resonance energy transfer between rhodamine B and Au NPs on the nanoprobe. Under the optimized rotation program, capillary and centrifugal forces propelled the fluid in the whole process of pretreatment and detection. The detection linear range was between 1 pg mL-1 and 50 ng mL-1, the detection limit of VEGF165 in blood was 0.22 pg mL-1 and the enrichment efficiency was 983. It was illustrated that a convenient and reliable way for detection of tumor markers based on the multifunctional microfluidic chip was provided and it has a potential value for early screening and prognosis of clinical cancer.

Effects of Chitosan Nanoparticles with Long Synthetic siRNAs Targeting VEGF in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential angiogenic factor in breast cancer development and metastasis. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can specifically silence genes via the RNA interference pathway, therefore were investigated as cancer therapeutics. In this study, we investigated the effects of siRNAs longer than 30 base pairs (bp) loaded into chitosan nanoparticles in triple-negative breast cancer cells, compared with conventional siRNAs. 35 bp long synthetic siRNAs inhibited VEGF gene expression by 51.2% and increased apoptosis level by 1.75-fold in MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Furthermore, blank and siRNA-loaded chitosan nanoparticles induced expression of IFN-γ in breast cancer cells. These results suggest that long synthetic siRNAs can be as effective as conventional siRNAs, when introduced into cells with chitosan nanoparticles

Eucommia ulmoides extract attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiac microvascular endothelial cell dysfunction by inactivating p53

Abstract Angiotensin II (AngII) causes endothelial dysfunction. Eucommia ulmoides extract (EUE) is documented to manipulate AngII, but its impact on cardiac microvascular endothelial cell (CMVEC) function remains unknown. This study determines the effects of EUE on AngII-treated CMVECs. CMVECs were treated with different concentrations of AngII or EUE alone and/or the p53 protein activator, WR-1065, before AngII treatment, followed by examinations of the apoptotic, migratory, proliferative, and angiogenic capacities and nitric oxide (NO), p53, von Willebrand factor (vWF), endothelin (ET)-1, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. AngII induced CMVEC dysfunction in a concentration-dependent manner. EUE enhanced the proliferative, migratory, and angiogenic capacities and NO, MnSOD, and eNOS levels but repressed apoptosis and vWF and ET-1 levels in AngII-induced dysfunctional CMVECs. Moreover, AngII increased p53 mRNA levels, p-p53 levels in the nucleus, and p53 protein levels in the cytoplasm and diminishes HIF-1α and VEGF levels in CMVECs; however, these effects were counteracted by EUE treatment. Moreover, WR-1065 abrogated the mitigating effects of EUE on AngII-induced CMVEC dysfunction by activating p53 and decreasing HIF-1α and VEGF expression. In conclusion, EUE attenuates AngII-induced CMVEC dysfunction by upregulating HIF-1α and VEGF levels via p53 inactivation

Lower cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen cutoff is helpful in the differential diagnosis of mucinous versus non-mucinous pancreatic cysts.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are being diagnosed with increased frequency and have varying neoplastic potential. We conducted this multimodal, prospective study to evaluate  the role of tumor cytology and molecular markers to differentiate PCL subtypes. METHODS: Consecutive undiagnosed patients with PCLs (n = 100, mean age: 50.37 years; 41% males) were prospectively studied. Cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA19.9, CA125, CA72.4, and vascular endothelial growth factor-alpha (VEGF-α) levels were measured by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Mutational analysis of the KRAS gene (exon 2, Codon 12 and 13) and GNAS gene (Exon 8, Codon 201) were performed by Sanger's sequencing. RESULTS: The mean cyst size was 4.32 ± 2.4 cm. Fluid cytology revealed definitive diagnosis in 21 (22.3%) patients. All malignant PCLs could be identified on cytology whereas 10/14 (71%) non-malignant mucinous PCLs could also be identified on cytology based on mucin staining. Among the tested tumor markers, cyst fluid CEA had the best diagnostic performance for differentiation between mucinous and non-mucinous PCLs (AUC 0.933 [95% CI 0.86-0.91]). At a cyst fluid CEA cutoff level of 45.0 ng/mL, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for differentiation between mucinous and non-mucinous cysts were 88.5%, 96.8%, 92.0%, and 95.3%, respectively (p < 0.05). KRAS and GNAS mutation had no significant diagnostic benefit in comparison to fluid cytology and CEA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Fluid CEA at a lower cutoff of 45 ng/mL is the most accurate marker to differentiate between mucinous and non-mucinous PCL. The KRAS and GNAS mutational analysis does not improve upon the diagnostic performance of fluid cytology and tumor markers.

Comparison of the Behavior of Perivascular Cells (Pericytes and CD34+ Stromal Cell/Telocytes) in Sprouting and Intussusceptive Angiogenesis.

Perivascular cells in the pericytic microvasculature, pericytes and CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (CD34+SCs/TCs), have an important role in angiogenesis. We compare the behavior of these cells depending on whether the growth of endothelial cells (ECs) from the pre-existing microvasculature is toward the interstitium with vascular bud and neovessel formation (sprouting angiogenesis) or toward the vascular lumen with intravascular pillar development and vessel division (intussusceptive angiogenesis). Detachment from the vascular wall, mobilization, proliferation, recruitment, and differentiation of pericytes and CD34+SCs/TCs, as well as associated changes in vessel permeability and functionality, and modifications of the extracellular matrix are more intense, longer lasting over time, and with a greater energy cost in sprouting angiogenesis than in intussusceptive angiogenesis, in which some of the aforementioned events do not occur or are compensated for by others (e.g., sparse EC and pericyte proliferation by cell elongation and thinning). The governing mechanisms involve cell-cell contacts (e.g., peg-and-socket junctions between pericytes and ECs), multiple autocrine and paracrine signaling molecules and pathways (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, angiopoietins, transforming growth factor B, ephrins, semaphorins, and metalloproteinases), and other factors (e.g., hypoxia, vascular patency, and blood flow). Pericytes participate in vessel development, stabilization, maturation and regression in sprouting angiogenesis, and in interstitial tissue structure formation of the pillar core in intussusceptive angiogenesis. In sprouting angiogenesis, proliferating perivascular CD34+SCs/TCs are an important source of stromal cells during repair through granulation tissue formation and of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumors. Conversely, CD34+SCs/TCs have less participation as precursor cells in intussusceptive angiogenesis. The dysfunction of these mechanisms is involved in several diseases, including neoplasms, with therapeutic implications.

VEGF and eNOS variants may influence intervertebral disc degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common and complex condition. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the key regulators of angiogenesis and vascular permeability. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in various physiological events. The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) that catalyses NO generation are crucial for the regulation of NO level. This study aimed to evaluate the association between VEGF/ eNOS gene variants with IDD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred ninety-one subjects (111 IDD patients and 180 controls) were included in the present case-control study. VEGF -2549 insertion/deletion (I/D) and eNOS VNTR variants were analysed by PCR method. The results of this analysis were evaluated for statistical significance. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in genotype and allele distribution of VEGF -2549 I/D/ eNOS VNTR variants between IDD patients and control subjects. We then evaluated the association between the allele frequencies of these variants and clinical features of IDD. Lumber IDD was more common in patients carrying VEGF I/D variant D allele (p < 0.001). Also, patients with lumbar disc herniation, cervical disc herniation, lumbar stenosis, and lumbar IDD had more 4 b allele (p = 0.005, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study demonstrates first time that some clinical characteristics of IDD have been associated with allele frequencies of VEGF -2549 I/D/ eNOS VNTR variants.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-A level in human breast milk after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ranibizumab is one of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents. It is applied in the treatments of choroidal neovascularization, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. Preliminary evidence suggests that intravitreal ranibizumab may enter the plasma and human breast milk in very low-level concentration. As a precaution, breastfeeding is not recommended during the treatment of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. There are limited data regarding the change of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor concentration in human breast milk after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, especially in the first 24 h after injection. The purpose of this report is to analyse the concentration change of vascular endothelial growth factor-A in human breast milk with time, in the short term after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. CASE PRESENTATION: In June 2018, a 30-year-old patient breastfeeding a six-month-old baby was diagnosed with choroidal neovascularization of left eye in Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. She received four administrations of 0.5 mg intravitreal injection of ranibizumab of the left eye, and breast milk was collected just before the injection, and 1-3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after intravitreal injection, and assessed for vascular endothelial growth factor-A concentration. The change in vascular endothelial growth factor-A concentration in human breast milk showed the same trend after each injection, decreasing significantly within 6-12 h (about 20-30% lower), and increasing to pre-injection level by 24 h after injection. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor-A in human breast milk of a mother who continues lactating dropped initially and rose to pre-injection level about 24 h after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. The data may offer more information to evaluate the impact of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent intravitreal injection of lactating mothers and their breastfed infants.

Single-Cell VEGF Analysis by Fluorescence Imaging-Microfluidic Droplet Platform: An Immunosandwich Strategy on the Cell Surface.

Despite recent advances in single-cell analysis techniques, the ability of single-cell analysis platforms to track specific cells that secreted cytokines remains limited. Here, we report a microfluidic droplet-based fluorescence imaging platform that can analyze single cell-secreted vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an important regulator of physiological and pathological angiogenesis, to explore cellular physiological clues at the single-cell level. Two kinds of silica nanoparticle (NP)-based immunoprobes were developed, and they were bioconjugated to the membrane proteins of the probed cell surface via the bridging of secreted VEGF. Thus, an immunosandwich assay was built above the probed cell via fluorescence imaging analysis of each cell in isolated droplets. This analytical platform was used to compare the single-cell VEGF secretion ability of three cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, and H8), which experimentally demonstrates the cellular heterogeneity of cells in secreting cytokines. The uniqueness of this method is that the single-cell assay is carried out above the cell of interest, and no additional carriers (beads or reporter cells) for capturing analytes are needed, which dramatically improves the availability of microdroplets. This single-cell analytical platform can be applied for determining other secreted cytokines at the single-cell level by changing other immune pairs, which will be an available tool for exploring single-cell metabonomics.

Paper based microfluidic platform for single-step detection of mesenchymal stromal cells secreted VEGF.

Low cost and user-friendly paper microfluidic devices, combined with DNA-based biosensors with binding capacities for specific molecules, have been proposed for the developing of novel platforms that ease and speed-up the process of cell secretion monitoring. In this work, we present the first cellulose microfluidic paper-based analytical device for the single-step detection of cell secreted Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor through a self-reporting Structure Switching Signaling Aptamer. A three-part Structure Switching Signaling Aptamer was designed with an aptameric sequence specific for VEGF, which provides a quantifiable fluorescent signal through the displacement of a quencher upon VEGF recognition. The VEGF biosensor was integrated in cellulose paper, enabling the homogenous distribution of the sensor in the paper substrate and the detection of as low as 0.34 ng of VEGF in 30 min through fluorescence intensity analysis. As a proof-of-concept, the biosensor was incorporated in a microfluidic paper-based analytical device format containing a VEGF detection zone and a control zone, which was applied for the detection of cell secreted VEGF in the supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells culture plates, demonstrating its potential use in cell biology research.

Endothelin-Converting Enzyme 1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as Potential Biomarkers during Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion with Prolonged Hypothermic Lung-Sparing.

Lung transplantation requires optimization of donor's organ use through ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) to avoid primary graft dysfunction. Biomarkers can aid in organ selection by providing early evidence of suboptimal lungs during EVLP and thus avoid high-risk transplantations. However, predictive biomarkers of pulmonary graft function such as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have not been described under EVLP with standard prolonged hypothermic preservation, which are relevant in situations where lung procurement is difficult or far from the transplantation site. Therefore, this study is aimed at quantifying ECE-1 and VEGF, as well as determining their association with hemodynamic, gasometric, and mechanical ventilatory parameters in a swine model of EVLP with standard prolonged hypothermic preservation. Using a protocol with either immediate (I-) or delayed (D-) initiation of EVLP, ECE-1 levels over time were found to remain constant in both study groups (p > 0.05 RM-ANOVA), while the VEGF protein was higher after prolonged preservation, but it decreased throughout EVLP (p > 0.05 RM-ANOVA). Likewise, hemodynamic, gasometric, mechanical ventilatory, and histological parameters had a tendency to better results after 12 hours of hypothermic preservation in the delayed infusion group.

Expresión inmunohistoquímica de VEGFR1 en carcinomas de pulmón de células no pequeñas: La expresión inferior de VEGFR1 se asocia con el subtipo de carcinoma de células escamosas y los valores elevados en SUVmáx en PET de 18F-FDG / Immunohistochemical expression of VEGFR1 in non small cell lung carcinomas: Lower VEGFR1 expression is asociated with squamous cell carcinoma subtype and high max SUV values in 18F-FDG PET

Antecedentes: Estudiar la posible relación entre la expresión inmunohistoquímica del receptor 1 del factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular (VEGFR1) y el valor máximo de captación estandarizada (SUVmáx) de la PET 18F-FDG en pacientes con cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas.Material y métodos:El estudio incluyó 39 pacientes con NSCLC (24 carcinomas de células escamosas y 15 adenocarcinomas). Según el estadio clínico, los pacientes se distribuyeron de la siguiente manera: 8 en estadio I, 7 en estadio II, 15 en estadio III y 9 en estadio IV. Se estudió la expresión inmunohistoquímica del VEGFR1 mediante la técnica de la matriz tisular utilizando el dispositivo de arreglo de tejidos (Beecher Instruments, Sun Prairie, WI), utilizando el anticuerpo policlonal contra el VEGFR1 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, California, EE. UU.).Resultados: Se observó una expresión inmunohistoquímica positiva del VEGFR1 en 23 casos (59%). El número de tumores positivos no se relacionó con el estadio clínico pero hubo una asociación estadísticamente significativa diferente (p: 0,0009) entre la positividad de VEGFR1 y el tipo histológico, correspondiendo los mayores porcentajes de resultados positivos a los adenocarcinomas (93,3%) frente a los carcinomas escamocelulares (37,5%). Asimismo, los valores SUVmáx fueron mayores (p: 0,039) en los carcinomas VEGFR1 negativos que en los tumores VEGFR1 positivos (r: 4-32,1; 16,4+/-6,4 [mediana 16,1] vs. r: 3-47; 14,5+/-8,6 [12,8]).Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados nos llevaron a considerar que en el CPCNP, la expresión inmunohistoquímica negativa de VEGFR1 se asocia significativamente con el subtipo de carcinomas de células escamosas y con valores SUVmáx más altos en 18F-FDG-PET (AU)

Background: To study the possible relation between immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and the maximum standardised uptake value (maxSUV) of 18F-FDG PET in patients with non small cell lung cancer.Material and methods: The study included 39 patients with NSCLC (24 squamous cell carcinomas and 15 adenocarcinomas). According to the clinical stage, the patients were distributed as follows: 8 stage I, 7 stage II, 15 stage III and 9 stage IV. Immunohistochemical expression of VEGFR1 was studied through the technique of tissue-matrix using tissue arrayer device (Beecher Instruments, Sun Prairie, WI), using the polyclonal antibody against VEGFR1 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, California, USA).Results: Positive VEGFR1 immunohistochemical expression was noted in 23 cases (59%). The number of positive tumours was not related with clinical stage but there was a different statistically significant association (p:.0009) between VEGFR1 positivity and histological type, corresponding the greater percentages of positive results to adenocarcinomas (93.3%) versus in squamous cell carcinomas (37.5%). Likewise, maxSUV values were higher (p: .039) in negative VEGFR1 carcinomas than in positive VEGFR1 tumors (r: 4-32.1; 16.4+/-6.4 [median 16.1] vs. r: 3-47; 14.5+/-8.6 [12.8]).Conclusions: Our results led us to consider that in NSCLC, the negative VEGFR1 immunohistochemical expression is associated significantly with squamous cell carcinomas subtype and with higher maxSUV values in 18F-FDG-PET (AU)

Expression of Markers Ki-67, Nestin, VEGF, CD34 and Apoptosis in Relatively Healthy Lung Tissue with Non-Changed and Metaplastic Bronchial Epithelium.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the occurrence of processes such as proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis in healthy lung tissues with different bronchial epitheliums is limited, and further exploration can contribute to a better understanding of the physiological renewal of lung tissues. The processes mentioned above occur with the help of important tissue factors; therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the expression of markers Ki-67, nestin, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEFG) and detect apoptotic cells in relatively healthy lung tissue. METHODS: Samples of relatively healthy lung tissue were obtained from 19 patients and divided into groups of patients with non-changed and patients with metaplastic bronchial epithelium. Tissue samples were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Ki-67, nestin, VEGF and CD34-positive cells were detected by the immunohistochemistry method. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was carried out to detect apoptotic cells. The number of positive structures was counted semi-quantitatively by microscopy. RESULTS: Ki-67-positive cells were detected in only one case. An occasional to moderate number of nestin-positive structures was found in various tissues of relatively healthy lungs with different bronchial epitheliums. No apoptotic cells were seen in non-changed bronchial epithelium, compared with few apoptotic cells in metaplastic bronchial epithelium. Metaplastic bronchial epithelium contained more VEGF-positive cells than non-changed bronchial epithelium. Samples with non-changed, and metaplastic bronchial epithelium both contained a similar number of CD34-positive structures. CONCLUSIONS: Proliferative activity and programmed cell death are not prominent events in normal lung tissue. A moderate number of nestin-positive cells in the alveolar epithelium and cartilage of bronchi with pseudostratified ciliated epithelium suggests a significant role of neuronal origin cells in these structures, to be intensified in metaplastic bronchial epithelium. A practically non-changed number of CD34-positive cells excludes any difference in stimulation of endothelial origin cells between lungs with different types of epithelium, while an increase in VEGF in structures with metaplastic epithelium suggests the presence/influence of tissue ischemia impact on possible development/maintenance of metaplasia.

Evaluation of BMP-2, VEGF, and Vitamin D Receptor Levels in the Ligamentum Flavum of Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Disc Herniation.

AIM: To histopathologically evaluate and compare bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels in the ligamentum flavum (LF) of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar disc herniation (LDH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surgical specimens of the LF in 25 patients who underwent surgery for LDH and 25 patients who underwent surgery for LSS were examined histopathologically. The prevalence and severity of BMP-2, VEGF, and VDR immunoreactivity were evaluated to create histoscores (prevalence × severity), which were compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean BMP-2 histoscore was similar in both groups. In the LSS group, the mean VEGF histoscore was significantly higher and the mean VDR histoscore was significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Elevated VEGF and decreased VDR levels in the LF in LSS are associated with more intense inflammation and chronic process of the disease. The prominent expression of BMP-2 in the LF in both diseases suggests that BMP-2 might be affected by inflammation regardless of chronic pressure and degeneration.

Pro-inflammatory profiles in cardiovascular disease patients with peri-implantitis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles in patients with or without cardiovascular disease (CVD) and with or without peri-implantitis. METHODS: Serum, peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF), and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected from patients with (n = 82) or without CVD (n = 46) at the most severe peri-implantitis site including sites with periodontitis. A panel of proinflammatory molecules including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-6, plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), matrix metallo-proteinase-8 (MMP-8), osteoprotegerin (OPG), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-17, IL-8, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) were analyzed using human custom Quantibody arrays. Krunskal-Wallis test was used to compare groups. The diagnostic ability of each biomarker was assessed using chi-square test and ROC analysis. RESULTS: Serum IL-1ß, TNF-α and fibrinogen were significantly higher in CVD patients than those without. Serum fibrinogen displayed a trend of higher concentration in patients with radiographic bone loss (RBL) ≥2 mm (P = 0.08). PICF TNF-α exhibited a significantly higher detection level in the CVD patients that is coincided with the local peri-implant inflammation. In addition, PICF MMP-8 was significantly higher in the RBL ≥2 mm sites than the healthy implants; whereas IL-1ß, IL-8, MMP-8, and TIMP-2 proved to be the significant predictors for peri-implant disease. GCF TNF-α collected from patients with periodontitis was significantly associated with CVD cases. CONCLUSION: The augmented expression of local and systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines found in the current study supports the weak association between the chronic peri-implantitis with increasing severity and CVD.

Differential response to hypoxia in leiomyoma and myometrial cells.

AIMS: Recent evidence suggests that repetitive hypoxia occurs during menstrual cycles due to vasoconstriction and myometrial contraction. It is unknown if hypoxia contributes to the development of uterine leiomyoma, the most common tumor of the female reproductive system. This study aims to characterize the response to hypoxia in leiomyoma and myometrial cells; and determine if an aberrant leiomyoma response to hypoxia may contribute to leiomyomatogenesis. MAIN METHODS: Primary and immortalized leiomyoma and myometrial cells were cultured under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), adrenomedullin (ADM), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) were measured by qRT-PCR, western blotting and ELISA. Cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay and proliferating-cell-nuclear-antigen (PCNA) expression. KC7F2 (HIF-1α inhibitor) was used to examine the regulating mechanisms. KEY FINDINGS: As expected, hypoxia induced HIF-1α expression in both leiomyoma and myometrial cells. However, hypoxia induced VEGF-A, ET-1 and ADM expression and VEGF-A secretion into the culture media in leiomyoma but not myometrial cells. MTT assay and PCNA expression showed that hypoxia induces proliferation in leiomyoma, but not myometrial cells. HIF-1α inhibitor abrogated the hypoxia-induced VEGF-A, ET-1, ADM, and PCNA expression in leiomyoma cells. SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests an aberrant leiomyoma cellular response to hypoxia compared to myometrium. This differential response to menstruation-related repetitive hypoxia episodes may lead to selective proliferation of hypoxia-adaptive leiomyoma cells and contribute to leiomyoma growth. Thus, in addition to adding to our understanding of leiomyoma pathobiology, the study proposes angiogenic factors as a potential leiomyoma therapeutic target.