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A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
09:04

A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Published on: March 15, 2016

Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factors and their receptors in multiple myeloma

Teresa Kimlinger1, Michael Kline, Shaji Kumar

  • 1Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Haematologica
|July 28, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is implicated in multiple myeloma (MM) pathogenesis. This study found higher cytoplasmic VEGF in MM plasma cells, suggesting VEGF may impact specific plasma cell subsets in MM progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Bone marrow angiogenesis is elevated in multiple myeloma (MM) and correlates with disease severity.
  • Previous research showed no significant difference in plasma cell vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor (VEGFR) expression between overt MM and earlier stages like monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cytoplasmic VEGF (cyVEGF) expression in plasma cells from patients with MM, MGUS/SMM, and AL-amyloidosis (AL).
  • To quantify VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) on plasma cells across different disease stages.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative flow cytometry was employed to measure cyVEGF expression in plasma cells.
  • An indirect VEGFR assay was used to assess VEGF binding capacity on plasma cells.
  • Plasma cells from patients with MM (n=22), MGUS/SMM (n=12), AL (n=9), and normal individuals were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Cytoplasmic VEGF expression was numerically higher in MM plasma cells (169,591) compared to MGUS/SMM (144,858) and AL (106,011), though not statistically significant.
  • VEGF receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3) were detected on plasma cells from all patient groups, with the lowest expression in normal individuals.
  • Receptor expression was primarily observed on CD45-positive plasma cells.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma.
  • VEGF may exert differential effects on specific subsets of plasma cells, contributing to MM progression.

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