Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE
(ISSN 1009-3095, Monthly)

2005   Vol. 6B   No. 7   p.693-698

Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor in association with neovascularization in human primary astrocytoma

PAN Jian-wei^†1, ZHAN Ren-ya^‡1, TONG Ying¹, ZHOU Yong-qing¹, ZHANG Ming²

(¹Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China)
(²Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China)
^†E-mail: swordman_pan@hotmail.com
Received Spet. 13, 2004; revision accepted Dec. 21, 2004

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis in primary astrocytoma. Methods: Thirty-seven primary astrocytomas and 4 astrocytic hyperplasia samples were collected and divided into three groups according to histological grade. The expression of eNOS, VEGF and factor VIII related antigen (FVIIIRAg) were assayed by immunohistochemistry. Microvascular density was assessed by FVIIIRAg immunoreactivity. The intensity of immunoreactivity was graded according to the percentage of positive tumor cells. Results: No eNOS and VEGF were expressed in the astrocytes and vascular endothelium in astrocytic hyperplasia. The expression of eNOS or VEGF was light in low-grade astrocytoma and strong in glioblastoma. eNOS expression in astrocytoma was very positively correlated with VEGF. eNOS and VEGF expression in anaplastic astrocytoma was median in contrast to the low grade astrocytoma and glioblastoma. Lower microvascular density was found in low grade astrocytoma than that in higher grade malignant ones. The expressions of eNOS and VEGF were correlated with microvascular density and tumor malignancy. Conclusion: This finding suggests that eNOS and VEGF may have cooperative effect in tumor angiogenesis and play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary astrocytoma.

Key words: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase, Vascular endothelial growth factor, Density of microvessels, Primary astrocytoma
doi:10.1631/jzus.2005.B0693             CLC number: R739.41

^‡ Corresponding Author