OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationships of CXCR4 (chemokine stromal cell-drived factor-1 receptor) and VEGF (vaseular endothelial growth factor) expression to tumor angiogenesis in hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system. METHODS: The protein expressions of CXCR4 and VEGF were detected by SP immunohistochemical staining in 40 hemangioblastomas. The endothelial cells of blood vessels within the tumor were labeled by CD34, then the microvessel density (MVD) was calculated. RESULTS: Total positive expression rates of CXCR4 and VEGF were 95% (38/40) and 85% (34/40) respectively. The expression rates of CXCR4 and VEGF were found positive obviously in hemangioblastomas compared with the normal cerebellar tissues (P < 0.01). CXCR4 expression was located in the nucleus of tumor stromal cells. VEGF expression was located in the cytoplasm and membrane of tumor stromal cells and some endothelial cells. VEGF has significant positive correlation with the expression level of CXCR4 (r = 0.704, P <0.001). MVD also has significant positive correlation with the expression level of CXCR4 and VEGF (P < 0.001). But there is no significant difference between the cystic and solid tumors, VHL disease and sporadic disease on the expression level of CXCR4, VEGF and MVD (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: CXCR4 and VEGF may collaborate to induce angiogenesis in hemangioblastomas.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationships of CXCR4 (chemokine stromal cell-drived factor-1 receptor) and VEGF (vaseular endothelial growth factor) expression to tumor angiogenesis in hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system. METHODS: The protein expressions of CXCR4 and VEGF were detected by SP immunohistochemical staining in 40 hemangioblastomas. The endothelial cells of blood vessels within the tumor were labeled by CD34, then the microvessel density (MVD) was calculated. RESULTS: Total positive expression rates of CXCR4 and VEGF were 95% (38/40) and 85% (34/40) respectively. The expression rates of CXCR4 and VEGF were found positive obviously in hemangioblastomas compared with the normal cerebellar tissues (P < 0.01). CXCR4 expression was located in the nucleus of tumor stromal cells. VEGF expression was located in the cytoplasm and membrane of tumor stromal cells and some endothelial cells. VEGF has significant positive correlation with the expression level of CXCR4 (r = 0.704, P <0.001). MVD also has significant positive correlation with the expression level of CXCR4 and VEGF (P < 0.001). But there is no significant difference between the cystic and solid tumors, VHL disease and sporadic disease on the expression level of CXCR4, VEGF and MVD (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:CXCR4 and VEGF may collaborate to induce angiogenesis in hemangioblastomas.