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Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) mRNA expression levels decrease after menopause in normal breast tissue
R R Greb1, I Maier, D Wallwiener
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.
British Journal of Cancer
|September 25, 1999
Summary
Breast tissue vascularization is hormonally regulated in premenopausal women, unlike in breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) expression differs between normal and cancerous tissues, suggesting hormonal influence on breast angiogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Breast tissue is a known target of ovarian steroid action, influencing microvascular functions and angiogenesis.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a key regulator of angiogenesis, particularly in breast cancer.
- Hormonal status, specifically menopausal status, may impact breast tissue's angiogenic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that hormonal exposure regulates microvascular functions and angiogenesis in breast tissue.
- To analyze the relative expression levels of VEGF-A isoforms in both tumor and adjacent non-neoplastic breast tissue.
- To determine the influence of menopausal status and age on VEGF-A expression in different breast tissue types.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze VEGF-A expression.
- VEGF-A isoform expression was measured in tumor and non-neoplastic breast tissue from 19 breast cancer patients.
- Statistical analysis was performed to correlate VEGF-A levels with menopausal status and patient age.
Main Results:
- In non-neoplastic breast tissue, VEGF-A expression was significantly higher in premenopausal women compared to postmenopausal women (P = 0.02) and inversely correlated with age (P = 0.006).
- In contrast, menopausal status did not influence VEGF-A expression levels in cancerous breast tissues.
- Both benign and malignant tissues showed similar relative expression patterns of VEGF-A isoforms.
Conclusions:
- The regulation of vasculature in normal breast tissue appears to be hormonally dependent, unlike in breast cancer tissue.
- Endogenous and therapeutic hormonal steroids may induce clinically significant alterations in the angiogenic phenotype of human breast tissue.
- These findings highlight a potential mechanism by which hormonal therapies could impact breast cancer development and progression.