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Molecular characterization of the vascular features of focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma: A role for angiopoietin‐1
Author(s) -
Gouw Annette S. H.,
Zeng Wenjiao,
Buiskool Marijke,
Platteel Inge,
van den Heuvel Marius C.,
Poppema Sibrand,
de Jong Koert P.,
Molema Grietje
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.23700
Subject(s) - focal nodular hyperplasia , hepatocellular adenoma , pathology , angiopoietin , adenoma , vascular endothelial growth factor , hemangioma , angiopoietin receptor , biology , angiogenesis , medicine , cancer research , hepatocellular carcinoma , vegf receptors
Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) are two hepatic nodular lesions of different etiologies. FNH, a polyclonal lesion, is assumed to be a regenerative reaction following a vascular injury, whereas HCA is a monoclonal, benign neoplastic lesion. In addition to features that are predominantly found in either FNH or HCA (e.g., dystrophic vessels in FNH and single arteries in HCA), FNH and HCA share morphological vascular abnormalities such as dilated sinusoids. We hypothesized that these anomalous vascular features are associated with altered expression of growth factors involved in vascular remodeling. This was based on reports of morphologically abnormal hepatic vasculature and nodular lesions in transgenic models of hepatocytic overexpression of angiopoietin‐1 (Ang‐1), a member of the angiopoietin family, which is crucially involved in vascular morphogenesis and homeostasis. We investigated gene and protein expression of members of the angiopoietin system and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A) and its receptors in 9 FNH samples, 13 HCA samples, and 9 histologically normal livers. In comparison with normal samples, a significant increase in Ang‐1 was found in FNH ( P < 0.01) and HCA ( P < 0.05), whereas no significant changes in Ang‐2, receptor tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin‐like and EGF‐like domains 2, VEGF‐A, or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2) were observed. Conclusion: Because of the different etiological contexts of a preceding vascular injury in FNH and a neoplastic growth in HCA, Ang‐1 might exert different effects on the vasculature in these lesions. In FNH, it could predominantly stimulate recruitment of myofibroblasts and result in dystrophic vessels, whereas in HCA, it may drive vascular remodeling that produces enlarged vessels and arterial sprouting that generates single arteries. Hepatology 2010