VEGFR-3, VEGF-C and VEGF-D mRNA Quantification by RT-PCR in Different Human Cell Types

• Published in: Anticancer research 2006-05, Vol.26 (3A), p.1885-1891
• Main Authors: LECLERS, Dany, DURAND, Karine, COOK-MOREAU, Jeanne, RABINOVITCH-CHABLE, Hélène, STURTZ, Franck G, RIGAUD, Michel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; Medical sciences; Melanoma - genetics; Melanoma - metabolism; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger - genetics; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes - physiology; Tumors; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C - biosynthesis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C - genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D - biosynthesis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D - genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 - biosynthesis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 - genetics
• ISSN: 0250-7005; 1791-7530

The molecular events favoring lymphangiogenic pathways for tumor growth and dissemination are not perfectly understood, nor are the expression patterns of lymphangiogenic biomarkers such as the VEGFR-3 receptor and its ligands, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. In particular, VEGFR-3 expression is not restricted to the lymphatic endothelium, but is found on some cancer cells and other cell types. A quantitative RT-PCR method was set up to measure the mRNA levels of VEGFR-3, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. With this method, a very low detection threshold was obtained when tested on 17 different human cell types. It was found that, in contrast to VEGF-D mRNA, the VEGFR-3 and VEGF-C mRNAs were not expressed in all the cell types studied, and that blood cells expressed high VEGFR-3 mRNA levels compared to solid tumor cells. As a result, quantitative RT-PCR is considered to be a highly reliable and reproducible technique that could help elucidate lymphangiogenic marker patterns of expression and function in cancer.