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Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the rat ventral prostate and Dunning R3327 PAP adenocarcinoma before and after castration
Author(s) -
Häggström Stina,
Wikström Pernilla,
Bergh Anders,
Damber JanErik
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0045(19980701)36:2<71::aid-pros1>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , vascular endothelial growth factor , medicine , endocrinology , messenger rna , castration , prostate cancer , prostate , biology , receptor , vascular endothelial growth factor a , cancer , vegf receptors , gene , hormone , biochemistry
BACKGROUND Angiogenesis is important for prostate organogenesis and prostate cancer progression. It is not yet known whether androgens promote part of their control of prostate structure and function by influencing angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to explore the possible androgenic regulation of the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors flt‐1 and flk‐1/KDR in the rat ventral prostate (VP) and Dunning R3327 PAP adenocarcinoma. METHODS RNA was prepared from VP and tumors of intact and castrated rats. VEGF, flt‐1, and flk‐1/KDR mRNA levels were determined using competitive RT‐PCR. RESULTS VEGF 121 , VEGF 165 , and VEGF 189 together with flt‐1 and flk‐1/KDR mRNA were detected. The VEGF, but not flt‐1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the VP after castration. The Dunning tumor expressed high levels of mRNA for VEGF and its receptors compared to the VP. The flt‐1 mRNA level in the tumor increased after castration, while the VEGF mRNA levels were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Decreased mRNA expression of VEGF, but not flt‐1, was found in the rat VP after castration. However, in the Dunning tumor, castration did not alter the expression of VEGF mRNA. Moreover, elevated levels of both mRNA for VEGF and its receptors relative to the VP were observed, indicating that the VEGF system may be important for Dunning tumor development. Prostate 36:71–79, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.