Peritumoral brain edema in angiomatous supratentorial meningiomas: an investigation of the vascular endothelial growth factor A pathway

Damoun Nassehi, Lars Peter Sørensen, Henrik Dyrbye, Carsten Thomsen, Marianne Juhler, Henning Laursen, Helle Broholm

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) pathway and peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) through comparison of non-angiomatous and angiomatous meningiomas. Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors, which often have PTBE. VEGF-A is an integral part of PTBE formation and angiogenesis, and the capillary-rich angiomatous meningiomas are known for their PTBE. The VEGF-A receptor VEGFR-2 is responsible for the angiogenic effect of VEGF-A on endothelial cells, which is enhanced by the co-receptor neuropilin-1. Forty non-angiomatous, 22 angiomatous meningiomas, and 10 control tissue samples were collected for the study. Magnetic resonance images were available for 40 non-angiomatous and 10 angiomatous meningiomas. Tissue sections were immunostained for CD34, MIB-1, estrogen- and progesterone receptors. ELISA, chemiluminescence, and RT-qPCR were used for VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, and neuropilin-1 protein and mRNA quantification. Angiomatous meningiomas had larger PTBE (695 vs 218 cm3, p = 0.0045) and longer capillary length (3614 vs 605 mm/mm3, p < 0.0001). VEGF-A mRNA, neuropilin-1 mRNA, and VEGFR-2 protein levels were higher in angiomatous meningiomas independently of the capillary length (p < 0.05). Neuropilin-1 protein levels were lower in angiomatous meningiomas (p < 0.0001). The VEGF-A pathway and tumor capillary length may be essential for PTBE-formation in meningiomas. Further investigations of this pathway could lead to earlier therapy and targeted pharmacological treatment options.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAPMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica
Volume121
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)1025-1036
Number of pages12
ISSN0903-4641
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2013

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