Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Receptors in Breast Cancer
Abstract
Experiments completed in the past year were designed to characterize the modifications in mammary gland and tumor vascular endothelium. Studies included analysis of VEGF isoform expression and vascular morphology in mammary gland tumors, mammary glands from ovariectomized (implanted with estrogen or placebo pellets), pregnant, lactating and involuting mice. Our findings demonstrate that estrogen alone can up-regulate the expression of VEGF 120, 164, and 188 isoforms and induce continuous vascular endothelium to become fenestrated. In all cases, where estrogen was present, VEGF was up- regulated, vessels were proliferating, vascular endothelium was fenestrated and caveolae were clustered and fused. Moreover in situations, where estrogen was lacking or decreasing, vascular endothelium had no fenestrations or clustered, fused caveolae. It is known that microvascular permeability is increased with the presence of fenestrae and clustered, fused caveolae.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA361569
Entities
People
- Walter Roberts
Organizations
- University of California, San Diego