[Expression of bcl-2 and survivin gene products in different stages of vessel differentiation in hemangiomas].

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between cell apoptosis and regression process of hemangiomas.

METHODS

Fourty four hemangiomas and 19 vascular malformations, confirmed by pathology without any previous treatments were involved. Hemangiomas were classified into two groups by histological characters, among which 23 were in proliferating phase and 21 cases were in involuting phase. SABC immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of bcl-2 and survivin genes in vascular and endothelial cells,and 8 normal skin tissues were obtained from infants and children for control. The data was analyzed using Chi-square test with SPSS 11.0 software package.

RESULTS

Significant difference of bcl-2 expression in endothelial cells was detected between the proliferation and involuting phase of hemangiomas (P<0.01). There was no significant difference of survivin expression in endothelial cells between the proliferating and involuting phases of hemangiomas.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms high level of bcl-2 expression in vascular endothelial cells in proliferating phase of infantile hemangiomas in contrast to that in the involuting phase of hemangiomas, which indicates that bcl-2 might play a role in the later stage of angiogenesis. While high level of survivin expression in vascular endothelial cells in the proliferating phase and involuting phase without significant difference indicates that survivin might not play a role in the apoptosis of infantile hemangiomas.