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Placenta growth factor (PlGF) mRNA expression in brain tumors
M Nomura1, S Yamagishi, S Harada
1Department of Neurosurgery, Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Japan. nomunomu@med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
Journal of Neuro-Oncology
|January 19, 1999
Summary
Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is linked to brain tumor angiogenesis. PlGF mRNA was found in most hypervascular primary brain tumors, suggesting its role in tumor development.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Angiogenesis Research
Background:
- Brain tumor angiogenesis is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis.
- Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is a key regulator of angiogenesis.
- The role of PlGF in brain tumors remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between PlGF expression and brain tumor angiogenesis.
- To compare PlGF expression with other angiogenic factors like VEGF and bFGF.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of PlGF gene expression under hypoxic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 36 primary and 3 metastatic brain tumors.
- Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for PlGF, VEGF, and bFGF mRNA.
- Preoperative angiography to assess tumor vasculature.
- Hypoxic experiments with cultured U-251MG human glioma cells.
Main Results:
- PlGF mRNA (PlGF149 and PlGF170) detected in 64.1% of brain tumors.
- PlGF mRNA was present in all hypervascular primary tumors but only 31.3% of hypovascular ones.
- VEGF and bFGF mRNA were detected in 87.2% of tumors.
- Hypoxia significantly increased PlGF mRNA levels in glioma cells.
Conclusions:
- PlGF expression correlates with hypervascularity in primary brain tumors.
- PlGF may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of brain tumor angiogenesis.
- Hypoxia is a potential regulatory factor for PlGF gene expression in brain tumors.