Renin in glioblastoma multiforme and its role in neovascularization

Significant proliferation of capillaries with hyperplastic vascular endothelium is one of the characteristic histologic features of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). It has been shown that the renin-angiotensin II cascade stimulates new vessel formation. The presence of renin in several types of highly vascularized neoplasm suggests that it may also be implicated in the mechanism of tumor angiogenesis. In order to study the possible relationship of renin to GBM, immunohistochemical search for human renin was carried out in ten instances of such a tumor. Eight of these cases demonstrated renin-containing neoplastic astrocytes, whereas seven cases of reactive gliosis and six cases of low-grade astrocytoma revealed no renin-containing cells. The immunostaining was not present after preabsorption of the renin antiserum with pure human renin or substitution of preimmune serum for the specific renin antiserum. Because it has also been demonstrated that a product of renin, angiotensin II, has angiogenic properties, it seems reasonable to postulate that renin, through angiotensin II, may play a role in the mechanism of GBM-associated neovascularization.