Highly concentrated vascular endothelial growth factor in platelets in Crow-Fukase syndrome

We report a marked difference in concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) between serum and plasma in patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome (CFS). The serum/plasma VEGF levels in 4 CFS patients were 8,634/152, 5,203/176, 3,724/127, and 868/13 pg/ml, respectively. We also showed that platelets were a major source of this VEGF and that VEGF was released during platelet aggregation by physiological stimulation. It is suggested that in CFS, local VEGF concentration is markedly elevated by aggregation of platelets containing excessive VEGF and their adhesion to vascular walls, resulting in excessive physiological activities of VEGF. Our findings provide important information for developing more effective therapeutic trials.