Huang Yong-Wen, Xu Li-Qun, Luo Rong-Zhen, Huang Xin, Hou Teng, Zhang Yan-Na
Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2013 May 21;11:49. doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-11-49.
Retroperitoneal lymph node (RLN) metastasis is an important indicator of endometrial cancer (EC) prognosis. Because vascular endothelial growth factor c (VEGF-c) is known to influence lymphangiogenesis and thereby lymph node metastasis, this study assessed the relationship of VEGF-c mRNA expression with RLN metastasis in EC.
The uterine muscularis mucosae of New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with a VX2 tumor cell suspension after which they were sacrificed at 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30 days. Control groups consisted of those receiving no treatment or an injection of saline. EC and metastatic RLN tissues along with peripheral blood samples were collected, and VEGF-c mRNA expression was evaluated using fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR.
The establishment of an in vivo model of EC with complete RLN metastasis was pathologically confirmed at day 21 post-injection with VX2 cells. As compared to the control groups, VEGF-c mRNA expression increased significantly over time in the tumor site, RLN, and peripheral white blood cells of EC rabbits. Significantly higher VEGF-c mRNA expression was observed in metastatic RLNs as compared to those without metastasis (P < 0.001). In addition, increased VEGF-c mRNA expression was observed in peripheral white blood cells of rabbits with RLN metastasis (P < 0.002).
Injection of a VX2 cell suspension is a simple method of establishing an in vivo EC model. VEGF-c may play an important role in the development of EC and its metastasis to RLN and may be useful marker to predict RLN metastasis.
腹膜后淋巴结（RLN）转移是子宫内膜癌（EC）预后的重要指标。由于血管内皮生长因子c（VEGF-c）已知会影响淋巴管生成，进而影响淋巴结转移，本研究评估了VEGF-c mRNA表达与EC中RLN转移的关系。
给新西兰白兔的子宫肌层黏膜接种VX2肿瘤细胞悬液，然后在第15、18、21、24、27和30天处死。对照组包括未接受治疗或注射生理盐水的兔子。收集EC和转移性RLN组织以及外周血样本，使用荧光实时定量PCR评估VEGF-c mRNA表达。
在注射VX2细胞后第21天，病理证实建立了具有完全RLN转移的EC体内模型。与对照组相比，EC兔的肿瘤部位、RLN和外周白细胞中VEGF-c mRNA表达随时间显著增加。与无转移的RLN相比，转移性RLN中观察到显著更高的VEGF-c mRNA表达（P < 0.001）。此外，在有RLN转移的兔子外周白细胞中观察到VEGF-c mRNA表达增加（P < 0.002）。
注射VX2细胞悬液是建立EC体内模型的一种简单方法。VEGF-c可能在EC的发生及其向RLN转移中起重要作用，可能是预测RLN转移的有用标志物。
