Endocrine gland derived-VEGF is down-regulated in human pituitary adenoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) is an angiogenic molecule restricted to endocrine glands and, particularly, to steroid-secreting cells. The expression of EG-VEGF and its significance in human adenohypophysis in physiological and pathological conditions is still unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this study, we investigated by immunohistochemistry the expression of EG-VEGF in 2 samples of normal adenohypophysis and 43 bioptic samples of pituitary adenoma. Moreover, the expression of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and adrenocorticoprophic hormone (ACTH) were also estimated.

RESULTS:

The results of this study for the first time demonstrate a down-regulation of EG-VEGF expression in human pituitary adenoma as compared to normal adenohypophysis, suggesting an impaired function of the neoplastic cells in terms of hormone release in the blood stream, as a consequence of impaired tumor angiogenesis in the tumor.

CONCLUSION:

On the basis of our data showing a marked decrease in the expression of EG-VEGF in pituitary adenoma, with the exception of LH-secreting adenomas, we suggest that LH might be involved in the induction of EG-VEGF secretion.

• Authors: Marius Raica, Mihail Coculescu, Anca Maria Cimpean, Domenico Ribatti
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 30 Issue 10 Pg. 3981-6 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 21036711 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived
• Human Growth Hormone
• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
• Prolactin
• Luteinizing Hormone
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone
• Thyrotropin

Topics

• Adenoma (metabolism)
• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (biosynthesis)
• Down-Regulation
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (biosynthesis)
• Human Growth Hormone (biosynthesis)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Luteinizing Hormone (biosynthesis)
• Pituitary Gland, Anterior (metabolism)
• Pituitary Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Prolactin (biosynthesis)
• Thyrotropin (biosynthesis)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived (biosynthesis)