Correlation Of Neuropilin-1and VEGF Expression With Tumor Angiogenesis In Human Gastric Carcinoma

Objective To detect the expression of NRP-1and VEGF and the microvascular density (MVD)in gastric carcinoma tissues and normal gastric tissues. To analyse the correlation of NRP-1mRNA.VEGFmRNA with tumor angiogenesis and the relationship of combined expression and liver metastases.Methods The expression of NRP-1mRNA and VEGFmRNA were detected by RT-PCR method and the microvascular density (MVD) marked by CD105-positive vascular with SP immunohistochemical staining were also assessed in72surgical specimens of gastric carcinoma (GC) and normal gastric tissues (NG). The correlation of NRP-1mRNA,VEGFmRNA with clinical pathological factors and MVD and the relationship of combined expression and liver metastases were analyzed by SPSS13.0.Results1. The positive rate of NRP-1mRNA expression were81.94%(59/72) and2.77%(2/72) in gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric tissues.respectively, x"=100.016,.P=0.000. Positive expressions of NRP-1mRNA were significantly higher in cancer tissues than in normal gastric tissues (t=2.796, p=0.007).2. The positive rate of VEGFmRNA expression were62.50%(45/72) and12.50%(9/72) in gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric tissues.respectively, x-=37.924.P=0.000. Positive expressions of VEGF were significantly higher in cancer tissues than in normal gastric tissues (t=3.504, p=0.001).3. MVD is14.27±3.28in gastric cancer tissues and is9.34±1.26in normal gastric tissues. Microvascular density in gastric cancer tissues is significantly higher than in normal gastric tissues (t=11.906,;P=0.000)4.The expression of NRP-1mRNA were associated with the size of tumor(t=2.238. P=0.028), the depth of invasion (t=-2.223, P=0.029), the lymph node metastasis(t=-2.077, P=0.041), were not associated with the degree of differentiation, the pathological type, the patient’s gender and age(p>0.05).5. The expression of VEGFmRNA were associated with the degree of differentiation,(t=-2.341.P=0.022). the depth of invasion (t=-2.919,P=0.005). the lymph node metastasis(t=-2.594, P=0.012), were not associated with the size of tumor,the pathological type, the patient’s gender and age(P>0.05).6.There is a positive corelation between the expression of NRP-1mRNA and the expression of VEGFmRNA(r=0.58, P<0.01);.There is a positive corelation between the expression of NRP-lmRNA and MVD values(r=0.52, P<0.01); There is a positive corelation between the expression of VEGFmRNA and MVD values(r=0.74, P<0.01);7. The risk of liver metastases in combined expression of NRP-1and VEGF group were significantly higher than in NRP-1(-)VEGF(-),NRP-1(+)VEGF(-) and NRP-1(-)VEGF(+)groups (x2=53.345, P<0.05). By logistic multivariate regression analysis, independent risk factors for liver metastases included the depth of invasion (OR=1.950, P<0.05), the lymph node metastasis(OR=2.799, P<0.05), the combined expression of NRP-1and VEGF (OR=3.856, P<0.05).Conclusions1. The expression of NRP-1and VEGF in gastric cancer is higher than in normal gastric tissues.The expression of NRP-1and VEGF may play an role in the neoangiogenesis of gastric cancer and is associated with the invasion and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer.2. There is a positive correlation between the expression of NRP-1and VEGF. NRP-1may promote the neoangiogenesis in gastric cancer through the way assciated with VEGF.3. There is a positive correlation between the combined expression of NRP-1and VEGF and liver metastases.The combined expression may become the molecular marker to predict the invasion and progression of gastric carcer, including liver metastases. NRP-1may become a new therapeutic antitumor target.