Enhanced expression of CD31/platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM1) correlates with hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) in human glioblastoma multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by numerous abnormal blood vessels, which rapidly proliferate and invade brain tissue and express different angiogenic factors. In this study we have investigated whether the expression levels of CD31/ PECAM1 are deregulated in human GBM tissue specimens and we have also correlated the expression levels of CD31/PECAM1 with those of HIF-1α. Finally, we have established a correlation between the expression levels of CD31/PECAM1 and HIF-1α, and those of two other biomarkers, namely N-cadherin and ADAM-10, of aggressiveness in the same tumors. Results have shown an increased expression of CD31/PECAM1 correlated to HIF-1α expression, confirming evidence demonstrating that different types of tumor are able to trigger aberrant angiogenesis through HIF-1α. Moreover, we also established a further correlation among CD31/PECAM1 and HIF-1α and N-cadherin and ADAM-10, two other markers of aggressiveness in the same tumors.