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Investigation of microvessel density after irradiation
L Plasswilm1, J Höper, N Cordes
1Klinik für Strahlentherapie, Universitätsklinik Erlangen, Germany.
Radiation Research
|April 6, 1999
Summary
High-dose gamma irradiation (10 Gy) significantly increased microvessel density and endothelial cell proliferation in chicken embryo yolk sacs. This suggests gamma irradiation can stimulate neovascularization, impacting tumor growth and metastasis research.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Radiation Biology
- Angiogenesis Research
Background:
- Malignant tumors require microvessel development for growth and metastasis.
- Understanding factors influencing microvessel density is crucial for cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on endothelial cell proliferation.
- To determine if gamma irradiation influences microvessel density in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Fertilized chicken eggs were exposed to single doses of gamma irradiation (2-10 Gy).
- Microvessel density in the yolk sac membrane (area vasculosa) was quantified 48 hours post-irradiation.
- Endothelial cell proliferation was assessed by measuring proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression via immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- A single 10 Gy dose significantly increased vascular density compared to lower doses and controls (P < 0.05).
- PCNA-positive endothelial cells significantly increased 24 hours (44.8%) and 48 hours (34.1%) after 10 Gy irradiation compared to controls (19.4% and 18.1%, respectively) and 4 Gy irradiation (22.7% and 12.0%, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Single-dose 10 Gy gamma irradiation induces significant endothelial cell proliferation.
- This induced proliferation leads to subsequent neovascularization in the fertilized egg's area vasculosa.