Vascular endothelial growth factor promotes angiogenesis in gastric carcinoma

Objective: To explore the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the angiogenesis and development of human gastric carcinoma. Methods: The expressions of VEGF and its receptor KDR (ki-nase-domain insert containing receptor) in human gastric cancer tissue and SGC-7901 cells were detected with immunohistochemical staining. Microvessel density (MVD) was obtained after immunostaining for Factor-VIII. VEGF in SGC-7901 cell line was detected with Western blot. VEGF levels were manipulated in human gastric cancer cell by using eukaryotic expression vector containing the complete VEGF165 complimentary DNA in either the sense or antisense orientation. Finally the biological characteristics of the transfectants were identified. Results: VEGF-positive rate in TNM grade I and IV gastric carcinomas (19. 0%) were significantly higher than that in grade I and I (72. 4%) (P<0. 05). Increased MVD was found in VEGF-positive tumors (16. 4±6. 7). which is significantly larger than in VEGF-negative tumors (6.