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Elements regulating angiogenesis and correlative microvessel density in benign hyperplastic and malignant prostate
S-J Shih1, M A Dall'Era, J R Westphal
11Department of Urology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817, USA.
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases
|June 14, 2003
Summary
Prostate cancer and benign hyperplasia tissues both produce proangiogenic factors and inhibitors, indicating angiogenesis is established early. This suggests angiogenesis is not solely driven by cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis.
- Prostate cancer (CaP) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are common prostate conditions where angiogenesis plays a role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify proangiogenic proteins (VEGF, bFGF, u-PA, tPA) and inhibitors (PAI-1, angiostatin) from CaP and BPH cultures.
- To assess microvessel density (MVD) in BPH and CaP tissues.
Main Methods:
- Immunoassays and immunoblotting were used to measure angiogenic cytokine expression and angiostatin generation.
- Immunohistochemistry with a factor VIII antibody was performed to determine MVD in tissue sections.
Main Results:
- Both CaP and BPH cultures produced proangiogenic proteins and angiogenesis inhibitors.
- In vitro studies showed capacities for generating angiostatin in both conditions.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates that factors regulating angiogenesis are present in both benign and cancerous prostate tissues.
- This suggests that the capacity for angiogenesis is established early, even before the development of carcinoma.