Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
Application of Laser Microdissection to Uncover Regional Transcriptomics in Human Kidney Tissue
Published on: June 9, 2020
The patterns and expression of KDR in normal tissues of human internal organs
Jianfei Huang1, Huijun Zhu, Xudong Wang
1Surgical Comprehensive Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
Abstract:
KDR has been implicated for playing an important role in the formation of new blood vessels and in solid tumor growth. It was considered as one of the most important regulators of angiogenesis and a key target in anticancer treatment. In the present study, we characterized KDR mRNA and protein expression in normal tissues of perinatal and adult tissues using One-step Real-Time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry with a self-made anti-KDR antibody. The expression of KDR mRNA and protein in perinatal internal organs were all higher than in adult organs including brain, kidney, liver, lung and heart, respectively. KDR protein was presented in the cell plasma membrane of human internal tissues. The expression of KDR protein was raised in macrophage of spleen, and decreased in neurons of brain, myocardium, bronchial epithelial cells and alveolar epithelial cell, proximal and distal tubules cells, and hepatic cells with the maturity process of human organs. Notably, the order of KDR protein expression from highest to lowest is as follows: brain, liver, heart, kidney, and lung in adult tissues with statistically significant. It follows that how to balance the potential therapeutic side effect with human internal organs in targeted therapy of over-expressing KDR tumor.
Insights
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (KDR) is crucial for blood vessel formation and tumor growth. KDR expression is higher in perinatal organs than adult ones, impacting targeted cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (KDR) is a key regulator of angiogenesis, essential for new blood vessel formation.
- KDR plays a significant role in solid tumor growth, making it a critical target for anticancer treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize KDR mRNA and protein expression in normal perinatal and adult human tissues.
- To understand the developmental changes in KDR expression and its cellular localization.
Main Methods:
- One-step Real-Time RT-PCR was used to analyze KDR mRNA expression.
- Immunohistochemistry with a self-made anti-KDR antibody was employed to assess KDR protein expression and localization.
Main Results:
- KDR mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in perinatal organs compared to adult organs (brain, kidney, liver, lung, heart).
- KDR protein was localized to the cell plasma membrane.
- KDR protein expression decreased in several cell types (neurons, myocardium, epithelial cells, tubules, hepatic cells) with organ maturity, but increased in spleen macrophages.
- In adult tissues, KDR protein expression levels were highest in the brain, followed by liver, heart, kidney, and lung.
Conclusions:
- Developmental changes in KDR expression suggest differential roles in organ maturation.
- Understanding KDR expression patterns in normal tissues is crucial for balancing therapeutic efficacy and potential side effects in KDR-targeted cancer therapies.
