BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of cytokines is involved in the maintenance of existing adult blood vessels as well as in angiogenesis, the sprouting of new vessels. To study the proangiogenic activation of VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) by VEGF family members in skeletal muscle, we develop a computational model of VEGF isoforms (VEGF(121), VEGF(165)), their cell surface receptors, and the extracellular matrix in in vivo tissue. We build upon our validated model of the biochemical interactions between VEGF isoforms and receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2) and nonsignaling neuropilin-1 coreceptors in vitro. The model is general and could be applied to any tissue; here we apply the model to simulate the transport of VEGF isoforms in human vastus lateralis muscle, which is extensively studied in physiological experiments. The simulations predict the distribution of VEGF isoforms in resting (nonexercising) muscle and the activation of VEGFR signaling. Little of the VEGF protein in muscle is present as free, unbound extracellular cytokine; the majority is bound to the cell surface receptors or to the extracellular matrix. However, interstitial sequestration of VEGF(165) does not affect steady-state receptor binding. In the absence of neuropilin, VEGF(121) and VEGF(165) behave similarly, but neuropilin enhances the binding of VEGF(165) to VEGFR-2. This model is the first to study VEGF tissue distribution and receptor activation in human muscle, and it provides a platform for the design and evaluation of therapeutic approaches.

背景与目标： : 细胞因子的血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF) 家族参与现有成人血管的维持以及血管生成，新血管的萌发。为了研究骨骼肌中VEGF家族成员对VEGF受体 (VEGFRs) 的促血管生成激活，我们建立了VEGF同工型 (VEGF(121)，VEGF(165))，它们的细胞表面受体和细胞外基质的计算模型。体内组织。我们建立在我们验证的VEGF同工型与受体酪氨酸激酶 (VEGFR-1和VEGFR-2) 之间的生化相互作用的模型，以及体外非信号neuropilin-1共受体。该模型是通用的，可以应用于任何组织; 在这里，我们应用该模型来模拟人外侧肌中VEGF同工型的运输，这在生理实验中得到了广泛的研究。模拟预测了静息 (非运动) 肌肉中VEGF亚型的分布以及VEGFR信号传导的激活。肌肉中几乎没有VEGF蛋白以游离的，未结合的细胞外细胞因子的形式存在; 大多数与细胞表面受体或细胞外基质结合。然而，VEGF(165) 的间质隔离不影响稳态受体结合。在不存在神经菌毛蛋白的情况下，VEGF(121) 和VEGF(165) 表现相似，但是神经菌毛蛋白增强VEGF(165) 与VEGFR-2的结合。该模型是第一个研究人肌肉中VEGF组织分布和受体激活的模型，它为治疗方法的设计和评估提供了平台。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Bidirectional communication between neurons and vascular cells is important to the maintenance of the central nervous system (CNS) milieu. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), through its ability to affect both vascular and neuronal cells, is likely a key protein in this process. Despite considerable literature documenting a neuroprotective function for VEGF, overexpression of this protein has also been shown in a wide variety of CNS diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased oxidative stress and elevated thrombin levels have also been documented in AD, specifically in the microvasculature. The aim of the current study is to examine endothelial cells and neurons in vitro to determine the effects of oxidative stress and thrombin on VEGF release as well as the effects of low and high dose VEGF on neuronal viability. The data show that microvessels isolated from AD patients secrete significantly higher levels of VEGF compared to control-derived vessels. Exposure of brain endothelial cells to oxidative stress (sodium nitroprusside, menadione, or hydrogen peroxide) or thrombin significantly increases VEGF expression. Exposure of cultured neurons to oxidative stress increases expression of thrombin. Treating rat cortical neurons with high dose VEGF (≥500 ng/ml) decreases neuronal survival and expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 while increasing proapoptic proteins caspase 3 and phosphorylated p38 MAPK. High dose VEGF also negates the decrease in amyloid-β evoked by low dose VEGF. These results suggest that despite literature supporting neuroprotective effects of this protein, caution is warranted prior to implementation of VEGF as a therapeutic in the brain.

背景与目标： 神经元和血管细胞之间的双向通信对于维持中枢神经系统 (CNS) 环境很重要。血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF) 通过其同时影响血管和神经元细胞的能力，可能是此过程中的关键蛋白。尽管有大量文献记录了VEGF的神经保护功能，但该蛋白的过表达也已在包括阿尔茨海默氏病 (AD) 在内的多种中枢神经系统疾病中显示。在AD中，特别是在微血管系统中，也记录了氧化应激增加和凝血酶水平升高。当前研究的目的是在体外检查内皮细胞和神经元，以确定氧化应激和凝血酶对VEGF释放的影响以及低剂量和高剂量VEGF对神经元活力的影响。数据显示，与对照来源的血管相比，从AD患者中分离出的微血管分泌的VEGF水平明显更高。脑内皮细胞暴露于氧化应激 (硝普钠，甲萘醌或过氧化氢) 或凝血酶会显着增加VEGF的表达。培养的神经元暴露于氧化应激会增加凝血酶的表达。用高剂量VEGF (≥ 500 ng/ml) 处理大鼠皮质神经元会降低神经元存活和抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达，同时增加促凋亡蛋白caspase 3和磷酸化p38mapk。高剂量VEGF也抵消了低剂量VEGF引起的淀粉样蛋白 β 的减少。这些结果表明，尽管有文献支持该蛋白的神经保护作用，但在将VEGF用作大脑治疗药物之前还是要谨慎。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :This study investigates whether salivary tumours with different morphology and evolution also differ in terms of neovascularization and VEGF expression and the prognostic value of the results. Surgical specimens from 45 patients - 8 pleomorphic adenomas (PA), 7 Warthin tumours (WT), 5 basal cell adenomas (BA), 6 carcinomas ex-pleomorphic adenoma (CEPA), 6 mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC), 5 acinic cell carcinomas (AC), 4 adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) and 4 adenocarcinomas not otherwise specified (ADK NOS) - were immunostained. In malignant salivary tumours, the following mean microvascular density (MVD) values were recorded (± SD = Standard Deviation): 27.61 (SD ± 2.27) in cases with CEPA, 27.08 (DS ± 7.81) in AC and 32.93 (SD ± 7.76) in ADK NOS, with lower values for MEC 24.31(SD ± 2.88) and for ACC 22.13 (SD ± 5.44). For benign tumours, an MVD of 35.71 (SD ± 2.09) was recorded in WT and lower average values in PA (MVD = 14.84; SD ± 4.86) and in BA (MVD = 23.96; SD ± 9.13). MVD did not correlate with the investigated clinicopathological parameters. The VEGF expression is significantly more important (p = 0.001) in malignant salivary tumours as compared with benign ones. The VEGF expression and the microvascularization in salivary gland tumours are important elements to be considered when formulating a diagnosis and assessing case evolutions in patients with such tumours.

背景与目标： : 本研究调查了具有不同形态和演变的唾液肿瘤在新生血管形成和VEGF表达以及结果的预后价值方面是否也存在差异。45例患者的手术标本-8例多形性腺瘤 (PA)，7例Warthin肿瘤 (WT)，5例基底细胞腺瘤 (BA)，6例非多形性腺瘤 (CEPA)，6例粘液表皮样癌 (MEC)，5例腺泡细胞癌 (AC)，免疫染色了4例腺样囊性癌 (ACC) 和4例未指明的腺癌 (ADK NOS)。在恶性唾液肿瘤中，记录了以下平均微血管密度 (MVD) 值 (± SD = 标准差): CEPA病例为27.61 (SD ± 2.27)，AC为27.08 (DS ± 7.81)，ADK NOS为32.93 (SD ± 7.76)，MEC 24.31(SD ± 2.88) 和ACC 22.13 (SD ± 5.44) 的值较低。对于良性肿瘤，在WT中记录了35.71的MVD (SD ± 2.09)，在PA (MVD = 14.84; SD ± 4.86) 和BA (MVD = 23.96; SD ± 9.13) 中记录了较低的平均值。MVD与所研究的临床病理参数无关。与良性唾液肿瘤相比，恶性唾液肿瘤中VEGF表达明显更重要 (p = 0.001)。涎腺肿瘤中的VEGF表达和微血管形成是制定诊断和评估此类肿瘤患者病例演变时要考虑的重要因素。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:The antimicrobial peptide PR39 is a porcine cathelicidin with angiogenic and antiapoptotic activities, as it can regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibitor apoptosis protein-2 (c-IAP-2) in endothelial cells. The human homolog LL-37 has been found to be highly expressed in human keratinocytes from psoriatic patients, but it is not known whether LL-37 can modulate the expression of VEGF and c-IAP-2 in keratinocytes, as both molecules are involved in the overgrowth of psoriatic skin. Therefore, in this work, we studied the possible role of CAP18/LL-37 in the modulation of VEGF and c-IAP-2 expression in human keratinocytes. METHODS:The CAP18/LL-37 gene was cloned into a plasmid that contained green fluorescent protein (GFP). This plasmid was called pGFP-CAP18/LL-37. The expression of LL-37, VEGF, and c-IAP-2 was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting in HaCaT cells transfected with pGFP-CAP18/LL-37. Specific DNAzymes were used to break the CAP18/LL-37 mRNA (DNAz-CAP18/LL-37). RESULTS:HaCaT cells transfected with pGFP-CAP18/LL-37 showed the upregulation of VEGF and c-IAP-2 mRNAs. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) mRNA expression did not change during the assays; however, its protein was increased, as well as the VEGF protein. HaCaT cells cotransfected with pGFP-CAP18/LL-37 and DNAz-CAP18/LL-37 showed depleted expression of LL-37, VEGF, and c-IAP-2 mRNAs. CONCLUSIONS:These results suggest that LL-37 may modulate the expression of VEGF and c-IAP-2 via HIF-1alpha in human keratinocytes.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Peptide growth factors play an important role in several intracellular processes, such as cellular growth and differentiation, angiogenesis and apoptosis, as well as in carcinogenesis, since they contribute significantly to the malignant transformation. The prostate gland is abundant in growth factors. The two most known prostatic diseases, prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), are among the most common diseases that affect elderly men. This study was conducted using a quantitative real-time RT-PCR method in order to determine mRNA expression levels of peptide growth factors VEGF, FGF2, TGFB1, EGF, and IGF1 in tissue specimens from 42 patients with PCa, 42 with BPH, and 10 normal prostate samples obtained post-mortem from young individuals, in order to examine their association with prostatic hyperplasia and neoplasia. Our results show that in PCa, growth factors VEGF, EGF and FGF2 are overexpressed, while TGFB1 and IGF1 have reduced mRNA levels. In BPH, transcript levels of FGF2 and EGF are normal, while VEGF, TGFB1 and IGF1 exhibit downregulation. Further statistical analysis revealed that PCa patients with high levels of PSA blood levels have decreased FGF2 expression (p=0.016). Additionally, cancer patients with low Gleason score (<7) have increased EGF (p=0.035) and IGF1 (p=0.031) mRNA levels. IGF1 levels are also elevated in tumors with TNM stages T1-T2 (p=0.030). In BPH, older patients have reduced EGF expression (p=0.018), while IGF1 is overexpressed in younger patients (p=0.041). Additionally, the co-expression pattern of the five studied growth factors differs significantly among normal, benign and malignant prostate. These results implicate VEGF, FGF2, TGFB1, EGF and IGF1 in the development of both PCa and BPH, rendering them potential targets for disease detection, monitoring and therapy.

背景与目标： : 肽生长因子在多种细胞内过程中起着重要作用，例如细胞生长和分化，血管生成和凋亡以及致癌作用，因为它们对恶性转化有重要作用。前列腺富含生长因子。前列腺癌 (PCa) 和良性前列腺增生 (BPH) 这两种最著名的前列腺疾病是影响老年男性的最常见疾病。本研究采用实时定量rt-pcr方法，以测定42例PCa患者组织标本中肽生长因子VEGF，FGF2，TGFB1，EGF和IGF1的mRNA表达水平，为了检查他们与前列腺增生和肿瘤的关系，从年轻人的死后获得了10个正常的前列腺样本。我们的结果表明，在PCa中，生长因子VEGF，EGF和FGF2过表达，而TGFB1和IGF1的mRNA水平降低。在BPH中，FGF2和EGF的转录水平正常，而VEGF，TGFB1和IGF1表现出下调。进一步的统计分析显示，PSA血高水平的PCa患者FGF2表达降低 (p = 0.016)。此外，低Gleason评分 (<7) 的癌症患者具有增加的EGF (p = 0.035) 和IGF1 (p = 0.031) mRNA水平。在TNM分期T1-T2的肿瘤中，IGF1水平也升高 (p = 0.030)。在BPH中，老年患者的EGF表达降低 (p = 0.018)，而IGF1在年轻患者中过表达 (p = 0.041)。此外，在正常，良性和恶性前列腺中，研究的五种生长因子的共表达模式显着不同。这些结果表明VEGF，FGF2，TGFB1，EGF和IGF1参与了PCa和BPH的发展，使它们成为疾病检测，监测和治疗的潜在目标。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :In this study, we analyzed the VEGF and CD105 immunoexpression in 24 cervical squamous cell carcinomas and CIN associated lesions with different degrees. For both lesions, MVD values were higher in patients who had associated risk factors. VEGF and MVD expression increased in both categories for high-grade lesions, respectively CIN III lesions compared with CIN I/II and poorly differentiated carcinomas compared with well-differentiated ones. Also, there was a statistically significant association between VEGF and MVD in poorly differentiated carcinoma and CIN III. The study indicated that analyzed markers were specific for both early and advanced stages of cervical angiogenesis. Maximum values of VEGF and MVD in CIN III designate this lesion as critical to the progression of neoplasia.

背景与目标： : 在这项研究中，我们分析了24种不同程度的宫颈鳞状细胞癌和CIN相关病变中的VEGF和CD105免疫表达。对于这两个病变，具有相关危险因素的患者的MVD值较高。高级别病变的两类VEGF和MVD表达均增加，分别是CIN III病变与CIN I/II相比，以及低分化癌与高分化癌相比。此外，在低分化癌和CIN III中，VEGF和MVD之间具有统计学上的显着相关性。研究表明，分析的标记物对宫颈血管生成的早期和晚期都具有特异性。CIN III中VEGF和MVD的最大值表示该病变对肿瘤的进展至关重要。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Euphorbia microsciadia (Euphorbiaceae) is a perennial plant growing in Iran. Two new cyclomyrsinol esters, 3-O-propionyl-5, 10, 14-O-triacetyl-8-O-(2'-methyl-butanoyl)-cyclomyrsinol (1) and 3, 5, 10, 14, 15-O-pentaacetyl-8-O-isobutanoyl-cyclomyrsinol (2) were isolated from the methanolic extract of its dried aerial parts. The structures were elucidated based on (13)C- and (1)H-NMR as well as 2D-NMR, IR and different MS spectra. Anti-angiogenic activity was also evaluated on vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro by assessing capillary-like tube network formation.

背景与目标： : 大戟科 (Euphorbiaceae) 是一种多年生植物，生长在伊朗。从其干燥的地上部分的甲醇提取物中分离出两种新的环氨酚酯，3-o-丙酰基-5,10，14-O-triacetyl-8-O-(2 '-甲基-丁酰基)-环氨酚 (1) 和3,5，10,14，15-O-pentaacetyl-8-O-isobutanoyl-cyclomyrsinol (2)。基于 (13)C-和 (1) h-nmr以及2D-NMR，IR和不同的MS光谱阐明了结构。还通过评估毛细血管样管网络的形成，评估了体外培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞中血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF) 诱导的血管生成的抗血管生成活性。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Despite the considerable evidence showing that curcumin is an efficacious and safe compound for multiple medicinal benefits, there are some demerits with respect to the therapeutic effectiveness of curcumin, namely, poor stability and solubility, and its role in angiogenesis in vivo is still not yet clear. More recently, the biodegradable polymer nanoparticles have been developed. This offers promise for the therapeutic effectiveness of curcumin by increasing its bioavailability, solubility and retention time. METHODS:Here, we compared the medicinal effectiveness of curcumin and nanocurcumin (NC), and found that nanocurcumin can inhibit angiogenesis more effectively than curcumin in zebrafish. Tests of proliferation and apoptosis showed no difference between nanocurcumin-treated and wildtype embryos. RESULTS:qPCR and in situ hybridization experiments indicated that the VEGF signaling pathway genes, vegfa, VEGF-C and flt4 were all down-regulated after nanocurcumin treatment, and vegfa over-expression rescued the vascular defective phenotype. Moreover, hif1a expression also decreased and hif1a over-expression also rescued the vascular defective phenotype but the Notch signaling pathway had no difference after nanocurcumin treatment. CONCLUSION:These results indicate that nano curcumin inhibits angiogenesis in zebrafish by downregulating hif1a/vegfa signaling pathway. Hence, our work reveals the key role of nanocurcumin in angiogenesis in vivo.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Matrix vesicles (MVs) are well positioned in the growth plate to serve as a carrier of morphogenetic information to nearby chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) carried in MVs could promote differentiation of these skeletal cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in MVs could stimulate angiogenesis. Therefore, a study was undertaken to confirm the presence of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-1 through-7, VEGF, and the noncollagenous matrix proteins, bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OC), and osteonectin (ON) in isolated rat growth plate MVs. MVs were isolated from collagenase-digested rachitic rat tibial and femoral growth plates. The presence of BMP-1 through BMP-7, VEGF, BSP, ON, OPN, and OC was evaluated by Western blot, plus ELISA analyses for BMP-2 and-4 content. The alkaline phosphatase-raising ability of MV extracts on cultured rat growth plate chondrocytes was measured as a reflection of MV ability to promote chondroosseous differentiation. BMP-1 through-7, VEGF, BSP, ON, OPN, and OC were all detected by Western blot analyses. Chondrocytes treated with MV extracts showed a two-to threefold increase in alkaline phosphatase activity over control, indicating increased differentiation. Significant amounts of BMP-2 and BMP-4 were detected in MVs by ELISA. Combined, these data suggest that MVs could play an important morphogenetic role in growth plate and endochondral bone formation.

背景与目标： : 基质囊泡 (mv) 位于生长板中，可作为向附近的软骨细胞和成骨细胞提供形态发生信息的载体。MVs中携带的骨形态发生蛋白 (bmp) 可以促进这些骨骼细胞的分化。MVs中的血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF) 可以刺激血管生成。因此，进行了一项研究以确认存在骨形态发生蛋白 (BMP)-1至-7，VEGF和非胶原基质蛋白，骨唾液酸蛋白 (BSP)，骨桥蛋白 (OPN)，骨钙素 (OC) 和骨连接蛋白 (ON) 在分离的大鼠生长板mv中。从胶原酶消化的rachitic大鼠胫骨和股骨生长板中分离出mv。通过Western blot和ELISA分析BMP-2和-4含量来评估BMP-1通过BMP-7，VEGF，BSP，ON，OPN和OC的存在。测量了MV提取物在培养的大鼠生长板软骨细胞上的碱性磷酸酶升高能力，以反映MV促进软骨骨分化的能力。BMP-1-7、VEGF、BSP、ON、OPN和OC均通过蛋白质印迹分析检测。用MV提取物处理的软骨细胞显示碱性磷酸酶活性比对照增加了两到三倍，表明分化增加。通过ELISA在MVs中检测到大量的BMP-2和BMP-4。综合起来，这些数据表明MVs可能在生长板和软骨内骨形成中起重要的形态发生作用。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a promising source for cell-based treatment of myocardial infarction (MI), but existing strategies are restricted by low cell survival and engraftment. We examined whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) improve MSC viability in infarcted hearts. We found long-term culture increased MSC-cellular stress: expressing more cell cycle inhibitors, p16(INK), p21 and p19(ARF). VEGF treatment reduced cellular stress, increased pro-survival factors, phosphorylated-Akt and Bcl-xL expression and cell proliferation. Co-injection of MSCs with VEGF to MI hearts increased cell engraftment and resulted in better improvement of cardiac function than that injected with MSCs or VEGF alone. In conclusion, VEGF protects MSCs from culture-induce cellular stress and improves their viability in ischemic myocardium, which results in improvements of their therapeutic effect for the treatment of MI.

背景与目标： : 骨髓间充质干细胞 (MSC) 是基于细胞的心肌梗塞 (MI) 治疗的有希望的来源，但是现有的策略受到低细胞存活率和植入的限制。我们检查了血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF) 是否可以改善梗塞心脏的MSC活力。我们发现长期培养增加了MSC细胞应激: 表达更多的细胞周期抑制剂p16(INK)，p21和p19(ARF)。VEGF治疗可减少细胞应激，增加促生存因子，磷酸化-Akt和Bcl-xL表达和细胞增殖。与单独注射MSCs或VEGF相比，将MSCs与VEGF共同注射到MI心脏可增加细胞植入并改善心脏功能。总之，VEGF保护MSCs免受培养诱导的细胞应激，并改善其在缺血性心肌中的生存能力，从而改善其治疗MI的治疗效果。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: AIMS OF THE STUDY:Studies on circulating VEGF have reported mixed results, possibly due to a lack of standardization of the pre-analytical phase. The aim of our investigation was to standardize the sampling procedure for the determination of VEGF in different blood fractions. BASIC PROCEDURES:We evaluated various clotting times for obtaining serum in 30 subjects, as well as different procedures for the preparation of plasma Edinburgh anticoagulant mixture (EDTA, PGE1, theophylline) and CTAD. VEGF was also assayed in lysed whole blood. In vitro platelet activation was monitored by measuring the levels of PF4. VEGF and PF4 were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassays. MAIN FINDINGS:Clotting time increased the release of VEGF, which reached a plateau between 2 and 4 hours. The percent increase of VEGF at 2 hours ranged from 118% to 4,515% (median 327%) compared to samples centrifuged within 10 min from withdrawal. VEGF was not different and PF4 was very low or undetectable in Edinburgh plasma and CTAD plasma, while it was significantly higher in sodium citrate plasma. VEGF in CTAD plasma was not correlated with platelet count or leukocytes. Serum VEGF did not correlate with the leukocyte number, but it correlated significantly with the platelet count. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS:The procedures for sample collection described above are highly standardized and easy to perform in a routine setting. We therefore suggest systematic evaluation of VEGF in CTAD plasma, in serum (clotting for 2 hours at room temperature) and in whole blood, until prospective controlled clinical studies will have clarified in which blood compartment(s) VEGF provides clinically relevant information.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Current models of brain development support the view that VEGF, a signaling protein secreted by neuronal cells, regulates angiogenesis and neuronal development. Here we demonstrate an autonomous and pivotal role for endothelial cell-derived VEGF that has far-reaching consequences for mouse brain development. Selective deletion of Vegf from endothelial cells resulted in impaired angiogenesis and marked perturbation of cortical cytoarchitecture. Abnormal cell clusters or heterotopias were detected in the marginal zone, and disorganization of cortical cells induced several malformations, including aberrant cortical lamination. Critical events during brain development-neuronal proliferation, differentiation, and migration were significantly affected. In addition, axonal tracts in the telencephalon were severely defective in the absence of endothelial VEGF. The unique roles of endothelial VEGF cannot be compensated by neuronal VEGF and underscores the high functional significance of endothelial VEGF for cerebral cortex development and from disease perspectives.

背景与目标： : 目前的大脑发育模型支持以下观点: VEGF是神经元细胞分泌的信号蛋白，可调节血管生成和神经元发育。在这里，我们证明了内皮细胞衍生的VEGF的自主和关键作用，对小鼠大脑发育具有深远的影响。内皮细胞中Vegf的选择性缺失导致血管生成受损和皮质细胞结构的明显扰动。在边缘区检测到异常的细胞簇或异型，皮质细胞的紊乱引起了几种畸形，包括异常的皮质层合。大脑发育过程中的关键事件-神经元增殖，分化和迁移受到显着影响。此外，在没有内皮VEGF的情况下，端脑中的轴突束严重缺陷。内皮VEGF的独特作用不能通过神经元VEGF来补偿，并从疾病的角度强调了内皮VEGF对大脑皮层发育的高度功能意义。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:Intracellular signaling responsible for gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor-mediated neovascularization is not clearly understood. We sought to determine the cellular mechanisms involved in the GRP receptor regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release in neuroblastoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS:BE(2)-C cells were treated with bombesin (BBS), the amphibian equivalent of GRP, Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) a PKC agonist, or GF109293X (GFX), and analyses were performed for VEGF secretion, phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and protein kinase D (PKD) expression. RESULTS:BBS rapidly increased VEGF secretion at 30 min. Pre-treatment with PMA alone produced similar results; this effect was synergistic with the addition of GRP. Conversely, GFX blocked PMA-stimulated increase in VEGF secretion. Immunofluorescent staining for VEGF correlated to BBS, PMA and GFX. CONCLUSION:PKC is critically responsible for rapid VEGF secretion by GRP receptor signaling in neuroblastoma cells. Inhibition of VEGF significantly reduced GRP-mediated cell proliferation, suggesting its crucial role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :This study aimed to identify and describe anatomical and functional changes on short (1-3 months) and medium (6-12 months) term after intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the context of exudative form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We performed a retrospective, analytical, interventional study, based on a series of cases with exudative form of AMD, which also comprised a prospective component related to the inclusion and treatment of the patients with a very new interventional method for that time (2006) and the follow-up of the effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg) therapy in three monthly doses for short (1-3 months) and medium (6-18 months) periods of time. The follow-up of these patients was made by determining visual acuity (VA) as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and at every visit, slit lamp examination with contact or noncontact lenses each time, and optical coherence tomography and/or angiofluorography, applied only for certain patients, at various times of the study. In total, 376 intravitreal injections were administered to 117 eyes of 96 patients. The VA improved in the assessment of 3 months in 77 eyes (66%), either subjective (by the patient) or objectively quantified (by the physician). In 40 eyes (34%), there was no change in VA. In patients for whom optical coherence tomography could be performed, a significant reduction of the macula's thickness was found. The use of bevacizumab in subretinal neovascular membrane treatment is effective and safe on short and medium term, with the improvement of BCVA and reduction of macular edema in a significant number of cases.

背景与目标： : 本研究旨在识别和描述玻璃体内注射贝伐单抗 (Avastin，genentech) 在渗出形式的年龄相关性黄斑变性 (AMD) 的情况下的脉络膜新生血管 (CNV) 患者中。我们进行了一项回顾性，分析，干预性研究，基于一系列渗出性AMD病例，其中还包括与当时非常新的介入方法 (2006) 的患者的纳入和治疗有关的前瞻性成分，以及玻璃体内注射贝伐单抗 (1.25 mg) 治疗的效果的随访 (3个月短 (1-3个月) 和中 (6-18个月) 的时间段。这些患者的随访是通过在基线和每次访视时确定视力 (VA) 为最佳矫正视力 (BCVA)，每次使用隐形眼镜或非接触镜片进行裂隙灯检查，以及光学相干断层扫描和/或血管荧光成像，仅适用于某些患者，在研究的不同时间。总共对96例患者的117只眼睛进行了376次玻璃体内注射。在77眼 (66%) 的3个月评估中，VA改善了主观 (由患者) 或客观量化 (由医生)。在40眼 (34%) 中，VA没有变化。在可以进行光学相干断层扫描的患者中，发现黄斑厚度显着减少。在视网膜下新生血管膜治疗中使用贝伐单抗是短期和中期安全有效的，在大量病例中可以改善BCVA并减少黄斑水肿。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths with 750,000 newly diagnosed cases each year. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy constitute the main treatment modalities for HCC, but liver cirrhosis and damage often occur. Molecular targeted drugs have been recently developed to treat HCC. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor (VEGFR) autocrine signaling is closely related to the growth, progression, and metastasis of HCC, making the VEGF/VEGFR axis an ideal target for the development of molecular targeted agents. Here, we report the effects of the novel anti-VEGF humanized monoclonal antibody BD0801 on the growth of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo as well as the underlying mechanisms. BD0801 significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, SMMC-7721, and Bel7402 cells in vitro, accompanied with an induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. BD0801 potently suppressed AKT, Erk1/2, and retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation, while increasing p21 and decreasing cyclin D1 protein levels. BD0801 significantly inhibited growth in mouse tumor xenografts and induced cell apoptosis of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 tumor xenografts. Furthermore, BD0801 effectively reduced the vascular density and tumor tissue microvessel density (MVD). Similarly, BD0801 decreased AKT, Erk1/2, and Rb phosphorylation and cyclin D1 expression whereas it increased p21 protein expression in mouse HCC tumor xenografts. Importantly, BD0801 showed a better effect than Bevacizumab (Bev) on the inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that BD0801 is a potent anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody for the treatment of HCC.

背景与目标： : 肝细胞癌 (HCC) 是癌症相关死亡的第三大原因，每年有750,000例新诊断病例。手术，放疗和化疗是肝癌的主要治疗方式，但经常发生肝硬化和损害。最近开发了分子靶向药物来治疗HCC。血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)/VEGF受体 (VEGFR) 自分泌信号与HCC的生长、进展和转移密切相关，使得VEGF/VEGFR轴成为开发分子靶向药物的理想靶点。在这里，我们报告了新型抗VEGF人源化单克隆抗体BD0801对体外和体内HCC细胞生长的影响以及潜在的机制。BD0801在体外显着抑制HepG2，SMMC-7721和Bel7402细胞的增殖，并在G1期诱导凋亡和细胞周期停滞。BD0801有效抑制AKT，Erk1/2和视网膜母细胞瘤 (Rb) 的磷酸化，同时增加p21并降低细胞周期蛋白D1蛋白水平。BD0801显著抑制小鼠肿瘤异种移植物的生长，并诱导HepG2和SMMC-7721肿瘤异种移植物的细胞凋亡。此外，BD0801有效降低了血管密度和肿瘤组织微血管密度 (MVD)。同样，BD0801降低了小鼠HCC肿瘤异种移植物中AKT，Erk1/2和Rb磷酸化和cyclin D1的表达，而增加了p21蛋白的表达。重要的是，在体外和体内，BD0801在抑制HCC细胞生长和诱导凋亡方面显示出比贝伐单抗 (Bev) 更好的效果。这些发现表明BD0801是一种有效的抗VEGF单克隆抗体，可用于治疗HCC。