• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.196-203
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• 2014

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important growth factors for metastatic tumors. To clarify the role of VEGF-A and C in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) or gastric cancer (GC), we evaluated the expression levels of these two molecules. We also analyzed the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on VEGF-A and C expression levels. Materials and Methods: Patients with dyspepsia who needed diagnostic endoscopy were selected and divided into three groups: nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD), PUD, and GC, according to their endoscopic and histopathological results. Fifty-two patients with NUD, 50 with PUD, and 38 with GC were enrolled in this study. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by the rapid urease test. After RNA extraction and synthesis of cDNA, the expression levels of VEGF-A and C were determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: The VEGF-C expression level in the PUD and GC groups was significantly higher than that in the NUD group. Moreover, the VEGF-A expression level in the PUD and GC groups was higher than in the NUD group, although the differences were not statistically significant. Significant positive correlations were also observed between the expression levels of these two molecules in the PUD and GC groups. In addition, the expression levels of these two molecules were higher in H. pylori positive patients with PUD or GC than in H. pylori negative patients of the same groups; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Up-regulation of VEGF-C expression during gastric mucosal inflammation may play a role in the development of peptic ulcers or GC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1575-1578
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• 2012

Objectives: To obtain permeability surface (PS) values using multi-slice helical CT perfusion imaging and to evaluate the spatial distribution correlation between PS values and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in solitary brain metastases. Methods: Imaging was performed on 21 patients, PS values being calculated from the central, border and peripheral parts of tumours. VEGF expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Results: Rim enhancement was found in 16 cases, the border of the tumour featuring PS elevation with high VEGF expression in 13 cases. In the 5 cases with nodular enhancement, the border and the central part had high permeability and VEGF expression was high in all cases, the correlation being significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: VEGF expression in brain metastases positively correlates with PS values from CT perfusion imaging, so that the latter can be used in the surveillance of angiogenic activity in brain metastases.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2004

Purpose : This study evaluated the effect of VEGF in the arterial anastomosis by using light and electron microscopy. Marerials and method : Rats underwent femoral arterial end-to-end anastomosis after transection and topical VEGF treatment. The proximal and distal segments of the femoral arteries was drenched with 1 drop of VEGF $(100ng/100{\mu}l/bottle)$. and when half of the repair was finished, the other 1 drop was drenched and then the repair was continued to complete the anastomosis. Gross and histologic characteristics of arterial wall were assessed after 3 days, 1, 3 and 5 weeks. In the control group, normal saline solution instead of VEGF was dropped with the same method in the anastomosis. Results : The histologic findings of the arterial wall were the vascular remodeling with the infiltration of inflammatory cells at early stages and the tissue fibrosis at lately stages in the anastomotic sites of the control and the VEGF-treated groups. The scanning electron microscopic results were; (1) the anastomotic sites were covered by many irregular cells with long cytoplasmic processes at the early stages. (2) After 1 week, endothelial cells started to cover the anastomotic sites. (3) After 3 weeks, the anastomotic sites were partially covered by endothelial cells in the control group. (4) After 5 weeks, the anastomotic sites were completely covered by endothelial cells in the control and VEGF-treated groups. (5) In the VEGF-treated group, the anastomotic site was completely covered by endothelial cells which directed parallel to longitudinal axis of arteries after 3 weeks. Conclusion : Topical VEGF maintained luminal integrity by decreasing fibrosis and increasing re-endothelialization. These findings suggest that topical VEGF may be a promising new strategy to enhance healing and improve the outcome of vascular anastomosis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.223-226
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• 2014

In the fermented soybean product known as "chungkookjang", diverse bioactive compounds are produced when the soybean proteins are degraded during fermentation. Vascular endothelial cells (EC) are crucial in vein function and the formation of new vessels. A treatment to stimulate formation of new blood vessels is needed in cerebrovascular diseases that lead to ischaemic stroke and heart attack, as well as for diabetic ulcers. VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) simulates EC formation. The effect of Chungkookjang ethanol extract (CEE) on the proliferation of EC was studied. CEE (100, $1000{\mu}g/ml$) and boiled CEE were as effective as VEGF (10 ng/ml) for the proliferation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC). The effect of CEE on the migration of HUVEC was investigated using sprout analysis. CEE ($100{\mu}g/ml$) was as effective as VEGF (10 ng/ml) for the migration of HUVEC. Isolation of specific peptides influencing the growth and migration of EC is needed.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.128-131
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• 2007

Tumor angiogenesis is a critical step f3r the growth and metastasis of solid tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important angiogenic molecule associated with tumor-induced neovascularization. VEGF exerts its activity through binding to its receptor tyrosine kinase, KDR/Flk-1, expressed on the surface of endothelial cells. This study was carried out to investigate inhibitory effect of extracts from root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews on VEGF binding to VEGF receptor. The MeOH extract from P. suffrutiocosa Andr. inhibited the binding of KDR/Flk-1-Fc to immobilized VEGF$_{165}$ more than 45% at the concentration of 100 ${\mu}$g/mL. The MeOH extract was further fractionated into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-BuOH, and aqueous fractions. Among the four fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction from the root cortex of P. suffruticosa Andr. exhibited highly effective inhibition (${\approx}$ 79% inhibition) and then n-BuOH fraction (${\approx}$ 45% inhibition) on the binding of KDR/Flk-1-Fc to immobilized VEGF$_{165}$ at the concentration of 100 ${\mu}$g/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction from the root cortex of P. suffruticosa Andr. more efficiently blocked VEGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation, than the growth of HT1080 human fibrosarcoma. Our results suggest that P. suffruticosa Andr. may be used as a candidate fur developing anti-angiogenic agent.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.171-179
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• 2023

To investigate the effects of type of exercise on inflammatory factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in middle aged women, we recruited 18 people middle-aged women and they divided into 3 groups (N=6, resistance exercise group, 40-60% of 1RM, N=6 aerobic exercise group, 60-70% of VO2max, N=6, flexibility exercise group, 10-60 sec/sets). The data were compared to the effect of exercise between 50 ~ 60 minutes per a day, 3 day times per week on the body composition, inflammatory factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular compliance in middle aged women. First, in regards to inflammatory factors between groups, a significant difference (p<.05) was identified in the effects of CRP and IL-6 in terms of time (T). Second, regarding vascular endothelial growth factors between groups based on the type of exercise, a significant difference (p<.05) was found in the effects of VEGF's time (T) and the interaction between time and group (TxG). In conclusion, All types of exercise could partially improve inflammatory factors and vascular endothelial growth factors.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.110-122
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• 2005

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of salivary glands has a protracted clinical course with perineural invasion, delayed onset of hematogenous metastasis, and poor responses to classical cytotoxic chemotherapic agents. Most deaths from salivary ACC are caused by lung metastases that are resistant to conventional therapy. Therefore, knowledge of cellular properties and tumor-host interactions that influence the dissemination of metastatic cells is important for the design of more effective therapy of salivary cancer. I determined in vitro expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream effectors and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 on a human salivary ACC cell line (ACC2). I also evaluated the expression of EGF and VEGF signaling molecules and metastasis-related proteins on human salivary ACC cells orthotopically growing in nude mice. In Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses, EGFR and VEGFR-2 were presented and phosphorylated in ACC2 cells. In human parotid cancer xenografts in nude mice, EGF and VEGF signaling molecules, IL-8, and MMP-9 were expressed at markedly higher levels than in normal parotid tissues. Moreover, tumor-associated endothelial cells of this orthotopic parotid tumor expressed phosphorylated VEGFR-2 and phosphorylated Akt, which is a cell-survival protein. These data show that those biomarkers can be molecular targets for therapy of salivary ACC, which has a propensity for delayed lung metastasis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.995-1004
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• 2007

Purpose : Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis, leading cause of pediatric acquired heart disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has functions as vascular permeability factor, plays an important role in coronary artery lesion (CAL). We studied the clinical significance of serum VEGF in Kawasaki disease. Methods : Kawasaki group was 49 patients, and control group was 15 patients. Diagnosis followed AHA (American Heart Association) diagnostic criteria, with blood sampling in acute, subacute, and convalescent phase. Echocardiographic abnormalities were defined and the definition of intravenous gamma globulin (IVGG)-responsive and IVGG-resistant was determined. Results : Serum VEGF of Kawasaki group was significantly higher than of control group. Comparison of serum VEGF between CAL and non-CAL group, between carditis group and non-carditis group showed no significant differences. Subacute serum VEGF was statistically higher in IVGG-resistant group than in IVGG-responsive group, and serum VEGF of IVGG-resistant group in subacute phase was statistically higher than in the other phases. Serum VEGF of convalescent CAL and non-CAL group in acute and subacute phase had meaningful differences. Total fever duration and subacute serum VEGF had positive correlation. Acute serum VEGF had positive correlation with ESR and CRP, all phases serum VEGF had also positive correlation with WBC. Acute and subacute serum VEGF had negative correlations with hemoglobin and albumin. Conclusion : Serum VEGF can help to determine the severity of Kawasaki disease, especially subacute serum VEGF seems to be used as a prognostic factor of coronary complication. Afterward, further studies needed with more strict diagnostic criteria and more study groups.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.11
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• pp.763-772
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• 2019

Periodontitis is characterized by the loss of periodontal tissues, especially alveolar bone. Common therapies cannot satisfactorily recover lost alveolar bone. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) possess the capacity of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation and are likely to recover lost alveolar bone. In addition, periodontitis is accompanied by hypoxia, and hypoxia-inducible $factor-1{\alpha}$ ($HIF-1{\alpha}$) is a master transcription factor in the response to hypoxia. Thus, we aimed to ascertain how hypoxia affects runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), a key osteogenic marker, in the osteogenesis of PDLSCs. In this study, we found that hypoxia enhanced the protein expression of $HIF-1{\alpha}$, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and RUNX2 ex vivo and in situ. VEGF is a target gene of $HIF-1{\alpha}$, and the increased expression of VEGF and RUNX2 proteins was enhanced by cobalt chloride ($CoCl_2$, $100{\mu}mol/L$), an agonist of $HIF-1{\alpha}$, and suppressed by 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole (YC-1, $10{\mu}mol/L$), an antagonist of $HIF-1{\alpha}$. In addition, VEGF could regulate the expression of RUNX2, as RUNX2 expression was enhanced by human VEGF ($hVEGF_{165}$) and suppressed by VEGF siRNA. In addition, knocking down VEGF could decrease the expression of osteogenesis-related genes, i.e., RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and type I collagen (COL1), and hypoxia could enhance the expression of ALP, COL1, and osteocalcin (OCN) in the early stage of osteogenesis of PDLSCs. Taken together, our results showed that hypoxia could mediate the expression of RUNX2 in PDLSCs via $HIF-1{\alpha}$-induced VEGF and play a positive role in the early stage of osteogenesis of PDLSCs.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.886-893
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• 2005

Purpose : Kawasaki disease is the most common cause of systemic vasculitis in children less than 5 years of age. Recent immunohistochemistry findings suggest that many vascular growth factors play a role in the formation of the coronary artery lesions. Active remodeling of the coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease continues in the form of intimal proliferation and neoangiogenesis for several years after the onset of the disease. Intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) and corticosteroid have been used in the treatment of Kawasaki disease but the exact mechanism is not clear. We have investigated that IVIG and corticosteroid inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-induced tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro on Matrigel assay. Methods : Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) were cultured and seeded on Matrigel coated 24 well plates in medium with or without the following agents : VEGF, VEGF plus IVIG, VEGF plus VEGF antibody, VEGF plus methylprednisolone, VEGF, IVIG plus methylprednisolone for 18 hours. The total length of tube structures in each photograph was quantified. Results : IVIG significantly inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs. The inhibitory effect of IVIG was also reversible. In the meantime, VEGF induced the differentiation of HUVECs into capillary like structures on Matrigel, which was inhibited by VEGF antibody in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, IVIG and methylprednisolone inhibited VEGF-induced tube formation of HUVECs. IVIG was more effective in inhibition than methylprednisolone alone. Conclusion : We revealed that VEGF induced the differentiation of HUVECs and this effect was inhibited by IVIG and methylprednisolone.