• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.453-460
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• 2009

Background and Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D and their tyrosine kinase receptor, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 are recently known to have lymphangiogenic activities in various tumor types. Oral mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (OMSCC) easily metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes, so we determined the expression levels of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We performed Western blot analyses with 4 OMSCC cultured tumor cell lines (SCC9, KB, YD-10B, YD-38), and with 7 surgical specimens of OMSCC for the detection of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 proteins. Expression of VEGF-C mRNA as well as mRNA for VEGFR-3 in 4 OMSCC cell lines (KB, SCC-4, SCC-9, YD-10B) was investigated by RT-PCR. We also measured VEGFC/VEGF-D protein concentrations in the media and protein concentration of VEGFR-3 in cell lysates of 4 OMSCC cell lines (SCC9, KB, YD-10B, YD-38) using commerical ELISA kits. Finally, we performed immunoprecipitation for the detection of VEGF-C in cell lysates of 4 OMSCC cells (KB, SCC-4, SCC-9, YD-10B) and real-time RT-PCR for the quantification of VEGF-C mRNA. Results: In the result of Western blotting with cell lysates of 4 OMSCC cells, we could not detect the protein expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGFR-3. But, all tumor tissues demonstrated VEGF-C and VEGFR-3. VEGF-C mRNA was detected at various levels in 4 OMSCC cell lines. Moreover, OMSCC cells secreted VEGF-C, not VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 was also detected in cell lysates of OMSCC by ELISA. Immunoprecipitation and real-time RT-PCR revealed VEGF-C was also expressed in 4 OMSCC cell lines. Conclusion: Taken together, tumor cells of OMSCC secrete VEGF-C, not VEGF-D. And VEGFR-3 is expressed tumor cells as well as OMSCC tumor tissues, needs further study.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.281-289
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• 2019

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and its receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3, are responsible for lymphangiogenesis in both embryos and adults. In epilepsy, the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was significantly upregulated in the human brains affected with temporal lobe epilepsy. Moreover, pharmacologic inhibition of VEGF receptors after acute seizures could suppress the generation of spontaneous recurrent seizures, suggesting a critical role of VEGF-related signaling in epilepsy. Therefore, in the present study, the spatiotemporal expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 against pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) was investigated in C57BL/6N mice using immunohistochemistry. At 1 day after SE, hippocampal astrocytes and microglia were activated. Pyramidal neuronal death was observed at 4 days after SE. In the subpyramidal zone, VEGF-C expression gradually increased and peaked at 7 days after SE, while VEGFR-3 was significantly upregulated at 4 days after SE and began to decrease at 7 days after SE. Most VEGF-C/VEGFR-3-expressing cells were pyramidal neurons, but VEGF-C was also observed in some astrocytes in sham-manipulated animals. However, at 4 days and 7 days after SE, both VEGFR-3 and VEGF-C immunoreactivities were observed mainly in astrocytes and in some microglia of the stratum radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare of the hippocampus, respectively. These data indicate that VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 can be upregulated in hippocampal astrocytes and microglia after pilocarpine-induced SE, providing basic information about VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression patterns following acute seizures.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.128-137
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• 2024

이 리뷰 논문에서는 혈관 투과성, 내피세포 모집, 종양관련 혈관 및 림프관의 유지 등에서 핵심적인 과정인 angiogenesis와 lymphangiogenesis에 있어서 vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)가 이행하는 중요한 역할에 대해 재조명하고자 한다. VEGF는 tyrosine-kinase receptor인 VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3를 통해 그 역할을 이행하며, 이러한 VEGF-VEGFR 시스템은 암에서뿐만 아니라 비정상적인 혈관 및 림프관 형성으로 인해 야기되는 다른 질병들에 있어서도 핵심적인 요소로 각광받고 있다. 암의 측면에서 보았을 때, VEGF와 그 수용체는 종양관련 혈관 및 림프관을 형성하는 과정에서 필수적이라는 점에서 치료적인 타겟으로 이목을 끌고 있다. 때문에 암세포의 성장을 방해하기 위한 항VEGF 항체, 수용체 길항체, 수용체 기능 억제제 등과 같은 여러 가지 시도들이 있었지만, 아직까지 그 임상효과가 불확실하며 더 많은 연구들이 필요한 실정이다. 이 논문에서는 VEGF의 생리적 역할을 VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, PLGF에 따라 나누어 설명하면서 VEGF/VEGFR 시스템의 중요성을 강조한다. VEGFR-1과 VEGFR-3은 각각 angiogenesis와 lymphangiogenesis에 핵심적인 인자이며, VEGFR-2의 경우 두 가지 모두를 일으킨다. 전반적으로 이 리뷰는 현재까지 밝혀진 암을 포함한 다양한 질병에서의 VEGF와 VEGFR의 역할에 대해 상세히 설명하고자 하였다. 이를 통해 치료 표적으로서 VEGF와 VEGFR의 활용이 더욱 촉진될 것으로 기대된다.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Background and Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 are involved in tumor lymphangiogenesis. Oral mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (OMSCC) preferentially metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes, so we investigated the expression and distribution of VEGFR-3 signaling proteins in OMSCC. Materials and Methods: Tissue samples of 18 OMSCC, 10 oral mucosal leukoplakia, and 3 normal oral mucosa were evaluated for expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGFR-3 by immunohistochemical staining. The presence of lymphatic vessels was determined using D2-40 staining, by which we also measured lymphatic vessel density (LVD). Results: 72% (13/18) and 56% (10/18) of tissue samples showed VEGF-C and VEGF-D immunopositivity in tumor cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells. VEGFR-3 was also expressed in most of OMSCC, which was up-regulated when compared with normal mucosa or with leukoplakia. Furthermore, LVD was higher in OMSCC than in leukoplakia. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that autocrine activation of lymphatic endothelial cell via VEGFR-3 by VEGF-C and/or VEGF-D could be involved in progression of OMSCC. Therefore, VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling pathway can be a molecular target for anti-metastatic therapy in OMSCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.27-31
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• 2012

Objectives: Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C)and vascular endothelial growth factor feceptor-3 (VEGFR-3) in laryngeal squamous carcinoma and its relationship to lymph node metastasis were investigated. Methods: VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 gene expression in 30 cases of normal laryngeal mucosa tissue (NLM), primary laryngeal carcinoma cell carcinomas (PLC) and cervical lymph nodes (CLN) was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Protein levels of VEGF-C expression were determined by immunohistochemical staining in 60 cases of PLC. Results: Expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 different among NLM, PLC and CLN in the same patient. In PLC, expression was significantly higher in lymph node positive group than in the lymph node negative group and associated with histological grade of differentiation; Expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was not linked with age, sex, site or T stage. Conclusions: A close correlation was found between VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 expression and lymph node metastasis in PLC, suggesting a role in metastasis of laryngeal carcinomas.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and its tyrosine kinase receptor, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 are recently known to have lymphangiogenic activities in various tumor types. In this study, we determined whether the expression of lymphangiogenic factors correlate with nodal metastasis or survival in a nude mouse model of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: Three OSCC cells (KB, SCC4, SCC9) were xenografted into the right mandibular gland of athymic nude mice. The mice were followed for tumor development and growth, and the mice were sacrificed when they had lost more than 20% of their initial body weight, or the diameter of the induced tumor exceeds 20 mm. After necropsy, the murine tumors were examined histologically and radiologically (micro-positron emission tomography computed tomography) for regional or distant metastasis. We performed immunohistochemical assays with anti-VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, CD105, and D2-40 antibodies. Immunofluorescence double staining for LYVE-1/CD31 was also performed. To quantify the VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 level in the cancer tissue, Western blotting was performed. Finally, we determined the correlation between the degree of expression of VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 and the mean survival time. Results: OSCC tumor cells into the mandibular gland of the nude mice successfully resulted in the formation of recapitulating orthotopic tumor. Tumor cells of the induced tumor did not express VEGF-C. VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 expression was mainly distributed in the endothelial cells of the stromal area. There were no correlation between the degree of expression of VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 and the mean survival time of mice injected with different OSCC cell lines. Conclusion: An recapitulating orthotopic model of OSCC in nude mice was established, which copies the cervical nodal metastasis of human OSCC. Overexpression of lymphangiogenic factors seems to have no effect on survival of hosts in this in vivo experiment.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

Purpose: Tumor associated angiogenesis and/or lymphangiogenesis are known to be linked by VEGFR signaling pathways. These processes are regulated by several growth factors including VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3. E7080 is an orally active inhibitor of multiple tyrosine kinases including VEGFR-2, 3. Therefore, it was proposed that E7080 may inhibit angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of E7080 in a nude mouse model of OSCC. Methods: KB cells were xenografted into the submucosal tissue of the mouth floor of athymic mice. Seven days after the xenograft, the mice were randomized into 2 groups. E7080 were administered orally to the experimental group once per day. The mice were sacrificed 3 weeks after the treatment. The tumors were examined histopathologically. Immunohistochemical assays with anti- VEGF-C, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, phosphorylated VEGFR-2/3 (pVEGFR-2/3), and D2-40 antibodies were then performed. Results: The transplantation of human OSCC tumor cells into the mouth floor resulted in the formation of orthotopic tumors. The experimental (E7080 treatment) group showed a slowly increased tumor volume. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated higher levels of VEGF-C, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, pVEGFR-2/3 and D2-40 expression in the control group than in the experimental group. Conclusion: These results suggest that E7080 may provide therapeutic benefits in OSCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.2823-2828
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• 2012

Objective: To explore a new model of in-situ xenograft lymphangiogenesis of human colonic adenocarcinomas in nude mice. Method: On the basis of establishing subcutaneous xenograft lymphangiogenesis model of human colonic adenocarcinoms, in-situ xenografts were established through the in situ growth of the HT-29 human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line in nude mice. The numbers of lymphangiogenic microvessels, the expression of lymphatic endothelial cell markers lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaloronic acid receptor-1 (LYVE-1), D2-40 and the lymphatic endothelial growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), -D (VEGF-D) and receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) were compared by immunohistochemical staining, Western bolt and quantitative RT-PCR in xenograft in-situ models. Results: Some microlymphatics with thin walls, large and irregular or collapsed cavities and increased LMVD, with strong positive of LYVE-1, D2-40 in immunohistochemistry, were observed, identical with the morphological characteristics of lymphatic vessels and capillaries. Expression of LYVE-1 and D2-40 proteins and mRNAs were significantly higher in xenograpfts in-situ than in the negative control group(both P<0.01). Moreover, the expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 proteins and mRNAs were significantly higher in xenografts in-situ (both P<0.01), in conformity with the signal regulation of the VEGF-C,-D/VEGFR-3 axis of tumor lymphangiogenesis. Conclusions: In-situ xenografts of a human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line demonstrate tumor lymphangiogenesis. This novel in-situ animal model should be useful for further studying mechanisms of lymph node metastasis, drug intervention and anti-metastasis therapy in colorectal cancer.

• BMB Reports
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.208-213
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• 2017

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential cytokine that has functions in the formation of new blood vessels and regression of cardiac hypertrophy. VEGF/VEGF-receptor-1 (VEGFR1) signaling plays a key role in the regression of cardiac hypertrophy, whereas VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling leads to cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we identified the prohypertrophic role of miR-374 using neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs). Our results showed that overexpression of miR-374 activated G protein-coupled receptor-mediated prohypertrophic pathways by the inhibition of VEGFR1-dependent regression pathways. Luciferase assays revealed that miR-374 could directly target the 3'-untranslated regions of VEGFR1 and cGMP-dependent protein kinase-1. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that miR-374 was a novel pro-hypertrophic microRNA functioning to suppress the VEGFR1-mediated regression pathway.

• 통합자연과학논문집
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.141-147
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• 2017

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important signaling protein involved in angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Consequently, blocking of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR-2) by small molecule inhibitors leads to the inhibition of cancer induced angiogenesis. In this study, we performed a two dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship (2D-QSAR) study of 38 N-Phenyl-N'-{4-(4-quinolyloxy) phenyl} urea derivatives as VEGFR-2 inhibitors based on hologram quantitative structure-activity (HQSAR). The model developed showed reasonable $q^2=0.521$ and $r^2=0.932$ values indicating good predictive ability and reliability. The atomic contribution map analysis of most active compound (compound 7) indicates that hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the side chain of ring A and oxygen atom in side chain of ring C contributes positively to the activity of the compounds. The HQSAR model developed and the atomic contribution map can serve as a guideline in designing new compounds for VEGFR-2 inhibition.