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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
Inflammatory molecule expression in cerebral arteriovenous malformations
Kingsley P Storer1, Jian Tu, Athula Karunanayaka
1Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract:
Inflammatory proteins may play a role in the pathophysiology of cerebral arteriovenous malformations and their response to radiosurgery. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of inflammatory molecules in arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with that in normal cerebral vessels. Fresh-frozen surgical specimens from 15 AVMs and three control specimens were studied. The expression of P- and E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) and von Willebrand factor were examined using immunohistochemistry. AVMs had significant upregulation of E-selectin. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 upregulation was also observed in AVMs. Pre-operative embolization was associated with increased expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1. This study has provided further evidence that the endothelium of AVMs has different molecular properties than the endothelium of normal cerebral vasculature. Inflammatory molecules may be biologically relevant in the response of vascular malformations to radiosurgery and embolization.
Insights
Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) show increased inflammatory molecules like E-selectin and VCAM-1 compared to normal vessels. These changes may impact AVM response to treatments like radiosurgery and embolization.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are complex vascular lesions.
- The role of inflammation in AVM pathophysiology and treatment response is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the expression of specific inflammatory molecules in AVMs versus normal cerebral vessels.
- To investigate the influence of pre-operative embolization on inflammatory molecule expression in AVMs.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to examine inflammatory markers in 15 AVM surgical specimens and 3 control specimens.
- Evaluated markers included P- and E-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1, and von Willebrand factor.
Main Results:
- AVMs demonstrated significant upregulation of E-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 compared to normal cerebral vasculature.
- Pre-operative embolization correlated with increased expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1 in AVMs.
Conclusions:
- The endothelium of AVMs exhibits distinct molecular properties compared to normal cerebral vessels.
- Inflammatory molecules are likely biologically relevant in the response of AVMs to radiosurgery and embolization.
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