VEGF and CD31 Association in Pituitary Adenomas

摘要: Pituitary tumors are usually less vascularized than the normal pituitary, and role of angiogenesis in these adenomas is contentious. Appraisal microvascular density expression potent angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by immunohistochemistry has yielded controversial results, as a broad spectrum immunostaining can be found. We determined protein VEGF CD31, an marker, series 56 surgically removed pituitary using Western blot assay. Prolactinomas had higher compared to nonfunctioning or ACTH- GH-secreting adenomas, while CD31 was similar different adenoma histotypes. were not affected sex, age, years evolution, proliferation rate (Ki67 PCNA) for all types. Only concentration increased significantly with age. There positive correlation between when histotypes considered, prolactinomas evaluated separately. The association suggests participation development, epithelial cell directly related expression, other factors, such primary genetic alterations may involved.