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Expression and localization of vascular endothelial growth factor-C in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue
OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), a member of the VEGF family, induces lymphangiogenesis through VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3/Flt-4). We examined the expression and localization of VEGF-C to clarify its role in synovial tissues in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Reverse trans...
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Published in: | Journal of rheumatology 2002-01, Vol.29 (1), p.34-38 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), a member of the VEGF family, induces lymphangiogenesis through VEGF
receptor-3 (VEGFR-3/Flt-4). We examined the expression and localization of VEGF-C to clarify its role in synovial tissues
in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot analysis, immunohistochemical
staining, and in situ hybridization for VEGF-C were performed on synovial tissue specimens obtained from 10 patients with
RA and 4 with osteoarthritis (OA). VEGFR-3 expression was determined using Western blot analysis. RESULTS: RT-PCR analysis
showed that VEGF-C mRNA was expressed in all RA and OA synovial tissues. Based on Western blot analysis, the mature form of
VEGF-C was found in RA synovial tissues, but not in OA synovial tissues, and VEGFR-3 was detected in RA and OA synovial tissues.
Immunohistochemical staining showed that the VEGF-C protein was localized in many synovial lining cells, endothelial cells,
and stromal cells in RA synovial tissues. In OA synovial tissues, the VEGF-C protein was localized in synovial lining cells
and endothelial cells. A large number of synovial lining cells and stromal cells surrounding microvessels in RA synovial tissues
expressed VEGF-C mRNA, as determined by in situ hybridization. CONCLUSION: Mature VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression may contribute
to lymphangiogenesis in RA. |
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ISSN: | 0315-162X 1499-2752 |