Pilot Study of Molecular Mechanism on Vasculogenic Mimicry in Bi-directional Differentiated Malignant Tumors

摘要

Objective: To investigate the role of collagen IV and PAS positive substance secreted by tumor cells in vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and the effects of VM on tumor cells expressing VEGF. Methods: 158 cases of bi-direction differential malignant tumor specimens with paraffin-embedded were enrolled into our study and made tissue microarray which were dual-stained with CD31-PAS and stained with collagen IV. The difference of the areas and distribution with pattern surrounded by between CD31 and PAS positive respectively were identified via grid-counting, as well as the difference of VEGF expression with VE absent and present. Results: The basement membrane of VM was both PAS and collagen IV positive. VEGF expression in the bi-direction differential malignant tumor was higher VM-absent than VM-present and the difference was statistically significance in malignant melanoma and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (P < 0.05). Conclusion: PAS positive substance and collagen IV compose the wall of VE and VE could provide the oxygen and nutrition for tumor growth and progression.