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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Published on: March 15, 2016
Increased serum vascular endothelial growth factor level in Churg-Strauss syndrome
Hideo Mitsuyama1, Wataru Matsuyama1, Jun Iwakawa1
1Division of Respiratory Medicine, Respiratory and Stress Care Center, Kagoshima University Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan.
Insights
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a useful serum marker to distinguish Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) from asthma. Elevated VEGF levels in CSS patients correlate with eosinophil counts and decrease with treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare systemic vasculitis associated with asthma and hypereosinophilia.
- Distinguishing CSS from asthma is crucial for effective treatment, but lacks specific serologic markers.
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is implicated in systemic vasculitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical utility of serum VEGF measurements in differentiating CSS from asthma.
- To explore the correlation between VEGF and disease activity in CSS.
Main Methods:
- Serum VEGF levels were measured in patients with CSS, asthma, and acute bronchitis.
- Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to localize VEGF expression.
- VEGF levels were assessed before and after therapy.
Main Results:
- Serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in CSS patients compared to asthma and bronchitis patients.
- VEGF demonstrated 93.3% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity for distinguishing CSS from asthma.
- VEGF correlated with peripheral eosinophil counts and decreased significantly post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Serum VEGF is a valuable screening marker for differentiating CSS from asthma.
- VEGF may play a role in the pathogenesis of CSS.
Background:
Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare form of systemic vasculitis occurring in patients with asthma and hypereosinophilia. For optimal treatment, prompt distinction of CSS from asthma is necessary; however, there are few serologic screening markers for this purpose. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a vascular permeability factor, has been associated with other systemic vasculitis such as Wegener granulomatosis and giant-cell arteritis.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical value of the measurement of serum VEGF for the distinction of CSS from asthma.
Methods:
We investigated serum VEGF levels in 18 CSS patients, 19 asthma patients, and 12 acute bronchitis patients. We also performed immunohistochemical analysis for VEGF.
Results:
The serum VEGF levels of CSS patients were significantly higher than those of asthma patients and acute bronchitis patients. The sensitivity and specificity to distinguish CSS from asthma were 93.3% and 81.8%, respectively (cutoff, 600 pg/mL). Infiltrating eosinophils stained intensely positive for VEGF, and serum VEGF levels showed a significant correlation with peripheral eosinophil counts. Serum VEGF levels decreased significantly after therapy (p < 0.001). The infiltrating eosinophils in the CSS lesion stained positive for VEGF in the immunohistochemical analysis.
Conclusion:
VEGF is one of the useful screening markers for the distinction of CSS from asthma. We suggest that VEGF might be associated with the pathogenesis of CSS.
