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Updated: May 16, 2026
Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Glioma-infiltrating Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Published on: November 28, 2015
Delta-like ligand 4 correlates with endothelial proliferation and vessel maturation in human malignant glioma
Zhi-Qiang Li1, Ling-Ling Gong, Zhi-Hua Wen
1Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. lifenzhi@yahoo.com.cn
Aim:
To investigate the role of delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) in the angiogenesis of high-grade malignant glioma.
Materials And Methods:
DLL4 expression and microvessel density (MVD) were detected by immunohistochemistry in 51 human high-grade malignant glioma tissue samples. The vessel maturation index (VMI) was calculated as the percentage of a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA)-positive vessels in relation to the amount of CD31-positive vessels. Double fluorescent immunostaining for CD31 and EphrinB2 or EphB4 was performed to identify the arterial (EphrinB2) or venous (EphB4) origins of glioma microvessels.
Results:
Strong immunostaining of DLL4 and a positive correlation of DLL4 with the MVD were observed in high-grade malignant gliomas. The VMI of the DLL4-positive group was significantly higher than that of the DLL4-negative group. However, no significant association was found between DLL4 and EphrinB2 or EphB4 in high-grade gliomas.
Conclusion:
DLL4 may be an important regulator for vessel proliferation and maturation in human high-grade malignant gliomas.
