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VEGF xxx b is relatively down‐regulated in malignant neuroblastoma but not in benign ganglioneuroma
Author(s) -
Peiris Maria,
Bates Dave,
Ramani Pramila
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.954.15
Subject(s) - ganglioneuroma , neuroblastoma , angiogenesis , vascular endothelial growth factor , pathology , medicine , immunohistochemistry , cancer research , messenger rna , vegf receptors , biology , gene , cell culture , genetics , biochemistry
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key mediator of angiogenesis and is up‐regulated by variety of tumours. An endogenous family of anti‐angiogenic isoforms termed VEGF xxx b has been identified in many normal, non‐angiogenic tissues, and, in contrast with the angiogenic VEGF xxx isoforms, is down‐regulated in epithelial tumours including colorectal and prostate carcinoma. This is the first study of the anti‐angiogenic variant VEGF 165 b in neuroblastic tumours of childhood, which range from highly malignant neuroblastoma to benign ganglioneuroma. Twenty neuroblastic tumour samples were assessed for VEGF xxx and VEGF xxx b mRNA and protein expression by RT‐PCR and ELISA, respectively. VEGF xxx but not VEGF xxx b was up‐regulated in neuroblastoma (N=12) when compared with ganglioneuroma (N=6) at mRNA level. At the protein level, the ratio between VEGF xxx b and total VEGF was significantly lower in neuroblastomas (0.53±0.08; N=15) than in ganglioneuromas (0.96±0.23; N=4). Immunohistochemistry identified VEGF 165 b in ganglioneuroma but not neuroblastoma, which showed higher expression of total VEGF. These results suggest that alternative splicing of VEGF in neuroblastoma may contribute to its malignant characteristics. Research funded by the CLIC Sargent