Vascular response in experimental spinal cord gliomas of the rat.

Reported is the immunoreactivity of tumoral and peritumoral vessels of 7 spinal cord gliomas induced in rats by means of ethylnitrosourea. Immunostaining for Factor VIII/RAg has been more strongly pronounced in endothelial cells of newly formed vessels at the tumor periphery, in comparison with tumoral vessels, and this is likely to suggest a differentiation process during extensive neovascularization of the tumor periphery. Endothelial distribution of vimentin in the peripheral vessels is more intensive than within the tumors, suggesting its relation to rapid new blood vessel formation. Immunostaining for GFAP and vimentin overlaps in astrocytes trapped within neoplasms, in astrocytes at the tumor periphery, and in the peritumoral zone.