Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
07:59

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1

Published on: December 5, 2020

PDGF BB induces VEGF secretion in ovarian cancer

Daniela Matei1, Stephanie Kelich, Liyun Cao

  • 1Department of Medicine, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center and Walther Oncology Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. dmatei@iupui.edu

Cancer Biology & Therapy
|December 14, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) inhibition impacts epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) cell growth. Targeting PDGFR may reduce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, potentially hindering tumor progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is a significant cause of cancer mortality.
  • The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptor (PDGFR) axis is implicated in various cancers.
  • Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the PDGF-PDGFR axis in EOC.
  • To determine if PDGFR inhibition affects EOC cell proliferation, survival, and VEGF secretion.
  • To explore the correlation between PDGF, PDGFR, and VEGF in EOC.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for VEGF expression in ovarian tumors.
  • Western Blot and ELISA to quantify VEGF and PDGF BB levels in ascites, conditioned media, and serum.
  • Treatment of PDGFR-expressing EOC cells with PDGF and imatinib mesylate (a PDGFR inhibitor).
  • Investigation of the PI3K/Akt pathway's involvement using cells overexpressing active Akt.

Main Results:

  • Elevated VEGF expression and secretion were observed in most ovarian tumors, malignant ascites, and primary EOC cell conditioned media.
  • A strong positive correlation (R = 0.728) was found between PDGF BB and VEGF levels in malignant ascites.
  • PDGF stimulation increased VEGF secretion in EOC cells, an effect reversed by imatinib treatment.
  • Imatinib partially inhibited VEGF secretion in cells with activated Akt, indicating PI3K/Akt pathway involvement.

Conclusions:

  • A significant correlation exists between PDGF and VEGF signaling networks in EOC.
  • Inhibition of PDGFR by imatinib reduces VEGF secretion, potentially impacting the tumor microenvironment.
  • Targeting the PDGF-PDGFR axis represents a potential therapeutic strategy for EOC by modulating VEGF production and tumor progression.

More Related Videos

Transplantation Into the Mouse Ovarian Fat Pad09:25

Transplantation Into the Mouse Ovarian Fat Pad

Published on: September 7, 2016

Murine Model for Non-invasive Imaging to Detect and Monitor Ovarian Cancer Recurrence08:55

Murine Model for Non-invasive Imaging to Detect and Monitor Ovarian Cancer Recurrence

Published on: November 2, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...