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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling
Published on: August 3, 2018
Vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor β in hypertrophic adenoids in children suffering
Beata Zelazowska-Rutkowska1, Bozena Skotnicka2, Bogdan Cylwik1
1Department of Pediatric Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
Insights
Elevated vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) indicate bacterial pathogens in children with adenoid hypertrophy and otitis media. These cytokines can aid in diagnosing exudative otitis media.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Adenoid hypertrophy is common in children.
- Exudative otitis media (OME) often co-occurs with adenoid hypertrophy.
- Cytokine profiles in adenoid tissue may offer diagnostic insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare levels of VEGF-A and TGF-β in children with adenoid hypertrophy and OME versus those with only adenoid hypertrophy.
- To evaluate the diagnostic potential of VEGF-A and TGF-β in OME.
Main Methods:
- Adenoid tissues were collected from children with OME and adenoid hypertrophy (study group) and children with only adenoid hypertrophy (reference group).
- VEGF-A and TGF-β levels were measured in stimulated adenoid cell cultures using ELISA.
- ROC analysis was performed to assess diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- VEGF-A and TGF-β concentrations were significantly higher in the OME group compared to the reference group.
- VEGF-A demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.952, 95% sensitivity and specificity).
- TGF-β also showed good diagnostic potential (AUC 0.902, 60% sensitivity, 95% specificity).
Conclusions:
- Increased VEGF-A and TGF-β levels suggest a role for bacterial pathogens in pediatric OME.
- VEGF-A and TGF-β measurements can serve as objective biomarkers for diagnosing OME in children.
- These cytokines may help confirm clinical diagnoses of exudative otitis media.
Objectives:
The study objective was to assess the levels of VEGF-A and TGF-β cytokines in the children with adenoid hypertrophy concomitant with exudative otitis media (OME) and in children with adenoid hypertrophy (HA) alone.
Methods:
The study material consisted of hypertrophic adenoids removed during adenoidectomy from 39 children (20 girls and 19 boys), aged 2-7 years suffering from OME. The reference group included 41 children (19 girls and 22 boys), aged from 3 to 9 years with adenoid hypertrophy. The levels of VEGF-A and TGF-β were determined in supernatants obtained from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated cell cultures of the adenoids using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.
Results:
The median VEGF-A and mean TGF-β concentrations in the study group were significantly higher than those in the reference group (503 pg/mL versus 201 pg/mL, P < 0.001 and 224 pg/mL versus 132 pg/mL, P < 0.001, respectively). ROC analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) for VEGF-A was 0.952 with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 95%, whereas for TGF-β it was 0.902 with 60% sensitivity and the same specificity as for VEGF-A. There was no significant difference between the AUC for VEGF-A and TGF-β (P = 0.573).
Conclusions:
The changes in the levels of VEGF-A and TGF-β may indicate bacterial pathogen as one of the causes of exudative otitis media in children. Determination of VEGF-A and TGF-β could be used as additional and objective tests to confirm the clinical diagnosis.
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