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Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in pituitary adenomas

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Abstract

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a transcription factor in hypoxia adaptation mechanisms. In malignant tumors, HIF-1α upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression to induce tumor angiogenesis. Although VEGF and HIF-1α are expressed in pituitary adenomas, the relationships of these factors remain unclear. Therefore, we examined the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF using real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to clarify the relationship of these factors in pituitary adenomas. HIF-1α mRNA and VEGF mRNA levels in pituitary adenoma tissues from 25 operated patients were quantified using real-time RT-PCR. Some tissues were also studied by double fluorescent immunohistochemical methods. HIF-1α mRNA and protein were expressed in all pituitary adenomas examined. Their expression tended to be higher in GH-producing and lower in ACTH-producing tumors. VEGF mRNA and protein were also expressed in all pituitary adenomas. There was no significant correlation in the expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA. The mutual expression of HIF-1α and VEGF was of no significance; in only a few cells were HIF-1α and VEGF co-localized. Our results suggest that in pituitary adenomas VEGF expression may not depend strongly on HIF-1α expression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, 113-8602, Tokyo, Japan

    Kyongsong Kim MD, PhD, Daizo Yoshida MD, PhD & Akira Teramoto MD, PhD

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  1. Kyongsong Kim MD, PhD
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  2. Daizo Yoshida MD, PhD
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  3. Akira Teramoto MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Kyongsong Kim MD, PhD.

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Kim, K., Yoshida, D. & Teramoto, A. Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in pituitary adenomas. Endocr Pathol 16, 115–121 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1385/EP:16:2:115

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