Tokyol, Çiğdem Afyon Kocatepe University - School of Medicine - Departments of Pathology, Turkey , Aktepe, Fatma Afyon Kocatepe University - School of Medicine - Department of Pathology, TURKEY , Dilek, Fatma H. Afyon Kocatepe University - School of Medicine - Departments of Pathology, Turkey , Yilmazer, Mehmet Afyon Kocatepe University - School of Medicine - Departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Turkey

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in uterine leiomyoma and correlation with angiogenesis

15516

Objective: Leiomyoma is the most common tumor of the uterus. Angiogenic factors and proteases may play role in the growth of uterine leiomyoma.The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in uterine leiomyoma and their possible relation to microvessel density (MVD). Material and methods: Material for the study comprised parafin-embedded tissue sections of uterine leiomyomas and corresponding myometrium derived from 50 hysterectomized women. VEGF, MMP-2 and CD34 expression was investigated immunohistochemically. Semiquantitative analysis of the immunostainings for VEGF and MMP-2 was performed. MVD was calculated by counting of CD34 positive vascular endothelial cells. Results: Expression of VEGF and MMP-2 was significantly higher in leiomyomas than corresponding myometrium (p=0.001). The CD34 labeling showed decreased MVD in leiomyomas compared with myometrium (p 0.05). There was no correlation between VEGF and MMP-2 staining and MVD. Conclusion: These data suggested that VEGF and MMP-2 may play role in the development of uterine leiomyomas. Mechanisms other than promotion of angiogenesis may contribute to this disease process.

86

Uterus , leiomyoma , VEGF , MMP , 2 , microvessel density

Medical Journal Of Suleyman Demirel University

91