[Vascular endothelial factor of meningomas and peritumoural vasogenic brain edema].

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in meningomas correlated with peritumoral vasogenic brain edema (PVBE) and angiogenesis.

METHODS

VEGF protein expression in 33 patients with meningomas (12 men, average 50 +/- 12 years; 21 women average 46 +/- 14 years) was examined by immunohistochemical and western blotting. The number of microvessels which were immunostained with von willelrand factor was counted and PVBE was assessed blindly before MRI scan or CT scan.

RESULTS

The expression of VEGF protein was found in 75.8% (25/33). The mean rate of immunostaining was 2.03 and the mean rate of PVBE was 2.39. The rate of staining intensity was correlated with PVBE rate (r = 0.7352, P < 0.01) and vascular counts (r = 0.6974, P < 0.01). VEGF protein isoform of molecular sizes corresponding to VEGF165 was detected in cytosolic extracts of meningomas.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF is highly related to PVBE and angiogenesis of meningoma. Wide-spread distribution of VEGF in meningomas suggests VEGF165 isoform.