- Poster presentation
- Published:
Decreased vascular endothelial growth factor expression in lung tissue during acute respiratory distress syndrome
Critical Care volume 13, Article number: P54 (2009)
Introduction
Endothelial injury is an important prognostic factor in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [1, 2]. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in endothelial destruction and angiogenesis [3]. The expression of VEGF in ARDS varies, depending on epithelial and endothelial damage [4, 5]. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of VEGF in lung tissue from ARDS patients.
Methods
Lung specimens were obtained by autopsy from 10 patients with severe ARDS and were compared with a control group of 10 non-ARDS patients autopsied. All lung samples were stained for standard histopathological analysis and for immunohistochemical methods using a specific mouse monoclonal antibody.
Results
Compared with expression in non-ARDS control individuals, pulmonary expression of VEGF was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in ARDS patients. Alveolar macrophages were similarly immunopositive in both groups. No differences were noted with regard to the individual patient's characteristics (age, gender, period of ARDS condition, number of ICU days).
Conclusion
A decrease in alveolar type II cellularity, due to apoptosis, has been observed during ARDS that may reduce the production of VEGF in the alveolar space and may participate in the decrease in lung perfusion.
References
Medford ARL, Millar AB: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): paradox or paradigm? Thorax 2006, 61: 621. 10.1136/thx.2005.040204
Dvorak HF: Angiogenesis: update 2005. J Thromb Haemost 2005, 3: 1835-1842. 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2005.01361.x
Gerber HP, Wu X, Yu L, Wiesmann C, et al.: Mice expressing a humanized form of VEGF-A may provide insights into the safety and efficacy of anti-VEGF antibodies. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2007, 104: 3478-3483. 10.1073/pnas.0611492104
Fehrenbach H: Development of the pulmonary surfactant system. Pneumologie 2007, 61: 488. 10.1055/s-2007-959227
Shibuya M: Differential roles of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 and receptor-2 in angiogenesis. J Biochem Mol Biol 2006, 39: 469-478.
Acknowledgements
Research Grant No. 136/IDEI from the National Authority of Scientific Research, Romania.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Azamfirei, L., Gurzu, S., Copotoiu, S. et al. Decreased vascular endothelial growth factor expression in lung tissue during acute respiratory distress syndrome. Crit Care 13 (Suppl 1), P54 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/cc7218
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/cc7218