土贝母苷甲对人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡和肿瘤诱导的血管生成的影响

研究了土贝母苷甲(下称苷甲)对人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelialcells,HUVECs)凋亡和肿瘤诱导的血管生成的影响.包括:MTT法检测苷甲对HUVECs生长的影响;荧光显微镜观察苷甲作用下HUVECs的形态变化;流式细胞术分析苷甲对HUVECs周期及凋亡的影响:聚碳酸酯膜小室(Transwell model)趋化运动模型检测苷甲对HUVECs运动能力的影响;鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜(chick embryochorioallantoic membrane,CAM)试验检测苷甲对人鼻咽癌细胞(humannasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells,CNE-2Z)诱导的CAM血管生成的影响;免疫组化法检测苷甲对BALB/c裸小鼠Lewis肺癌组织微血管密度(microvessel density,MVD)和血管内皮细胞生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(basic fibroblast growth factor,bFGF)和血小板源生长因子(platelet-derived growth factor,PDGF)表达的影响.苷甲明显抑制HUVECs的生长,其抑制效果与剂量和作用时间相关,苷甲作用HUVECs 24、48,72 h其IC50值分别为24.2、21.4、17.9 μmol/L;苷甲作用下HUVECs发生周期阻滞,呈现典型的凋亡特征,20.0 μmol/L苷甲作用12、24、36 h HUVECs的凋亡率分别为11.4%、20.8%、25.3%;20.0 μmol/L苷甲处理HUVECs 24 h,对细胞迁移抑制率为58.4%;苷甲抑制CNE-2Z细胞诱导的CAM血管生成,并与剂量相关;苷甲应用后瘤组织MVD明显减少,VEGF、bFGF、PDGF表达下调.苷甲有明显的抑制血管生成活性,其抑制血管生成作用与诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡,抑制其运动能力,下调VEGF、bFGF和PDGF的表达有关.     

云南昭通年青褐煤黄腐酸钠对血管新生作用的影响

研究云南昭通地区年青褐煤黄腐酸钠对体内外血管新生作用的影响。将不同浓度的黄腐酸钠作用于人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs)体外模型和鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜(chick chorioallantoic membrane,CAM)体内模型,采用MTT和划痕法检测其对HUVECs增殖和迁移的影响,以ELISA试剂盒测定细胞上清液血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)的表达,采集CAM图片用Image-Pro Plus6.0软件考察给药区域血管新生的情况。结果显示,与对照组比较,云南昭通年青褐煤黄腐酸钠在100、200、400μg/m L的浓度下对HUVECs的增殖有抑制作用(P0.05,P0.01),在100、200μg/m L浓度时对迁移有抑制作用并能下调血管内皮生长因子VEGF的表达(P0.01),在高浓度800、1200μg/m L下能抑制CAM血管的新生(P0.05)。研究结果表明,云南昭通地区年青褐煤黄腐酸钠具有良好的血管新生抑制作用,其机制可能与生长因子VEGF表达的下调有关。     

乳腺癌组织中转化生长因子-beta1 和血管内皮生长因子的表达 及其与血管生成的关系

目的:研究转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)和血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial cell growth factor,VEGF)在乳腺癌组织中的表达及其与血管生成的关系。方法:选取65例手术切除乳腺癌蜡块标本及其周围正常乳腺组织,分为两组:A组为对照组,检测标本为乳腺癌癌旁正常乳腺组织;B组为实验组,检测标本为乳腺癌组织,采用免疫组织化学染色和形态计量检测TGF-β1和VEGF在乳腺癌组织中的表达。利用CD34相关抗原标记血管内皮细胞,计数微血管密度(intratumoral mier oveseulardensity,MVD),并分析其与TGF-β1和VEGF表达的关系。结果:65例乳腺癌组织中,TGF-β1的阳性表达率为69.23%(45/65),TGF-β1阳性表达者MVD值(25.31±4.05)显著高于TGF-β1阴性表达者(21.23±4.29);VEGF的阳性表达率为78.46%(51/65),VEGF阳性表达者MVD值(26.62±3.41)亦明显显著高于VEGF阴性表达者(18.95±6.52)(均P<0.05)。不同病理类型的乳腺癌组织中TGF-β1、VEGF的阳性表达率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但TGF-β1、VEGF的阳性表达与乳腺癌的组织分级、淋巴结转移呈显著正相关(均P<0.05),且组织学分级越高、淋巴结转移越多,MVD值越大。结论:TGF-β1与VEGF在乳腺癌组织的表达高于正常乳腺组织,并与乳腺癌肿瘤血管的生成有关,二者有望作为乳腺癌恶性程度、浸润转移等生物学行为的评估指标。     

乳腺癌组织中转化生长因子-β1和血管内皮生长因子的表达及其与血管生成的关系

目的:研究转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)和血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial cell growth factor,VEGF)在乳腺癌组织中的表达及其与血管生成的关系。方法:选取65例手术切除乳腺癌蜡块标本及其周围正常乳腺组织,分为两组:A组为对照组,检测标本为乳腺癌癌旁正常乳腺组织;B组为实验组,检测标本为乳腺癌组织,采用免疫组织化学染色和形态计量检测TGF-β1和VEGF在乳腺癌组织中的表达。利用CD34相关抗原标记血管内皮细胞,计数微血管密度(intratumoral mier oveseulardensity,MVD),并分析其与TGF-β1和VEGF表达的关系。结果:65例乳腺癌组织中,TGF-β1的阳性表达率为69.23%(45/65),TGF-β1阳性表达者MVD值(25.31±4.05)显著高于TGF-β1阴性表达者(21.23±4.29);VEGF的阳性表达率为78.46%(51/65),VEGF阳性表达者MVD值(26.62±3.41)亦明显显著高于VEGF阴性表达者(18.95±6.52)(均P0.05)。不同病理类型的乳腺癌组织中TGF-β1、VEGF的阳性表达率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),但TGF-β1、VEGF的阳性表达与乳腺癌的组织分级、淋巴结转移呈显著正相关(均P0.05),且组织学分级越高、淋巴结转移越多,MVD值越大。结论:TGF-β1与VEGF在乳腺癌组织的表达高于正常乳腺组织,并与乳腺癌肿瘤血管的生成有关,二者有望作为乳腺癌恶性程度、浸润转移等生物学行为的评估指标。     

非小细胞肺癌组织血管生成相关因子表达及临床病理分析

目的探讨血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及其受体(Flt-1)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)在非小细胞肺癌(non-smallcelllungcancer,NSCLC)组织血管形成中的意义及与肿瘤临床、生物学行为的关系。方法免疫组化染色观察VEGF、血管内皮生长因子受体-1(Flt-1)、TGF-β1在NSCLC组织中的表达,以CD34免疫组化染色来显示NSCLC组织中微血管生成情况和进行微血管密度判断。结果NSCLC组织中癌细胞不同程度地表达VEGF、血管内皮生长因子受体因子、TGF-β1,而对照组肺组织基本不表达(P<0·05);VEGF、Flt-1、TGF-β1阳性表达的NSCLC组织内微血管计数明显高于VEGF、Flt-1、TGF-β1表达阴性的NSCLC组织(P<0·05);NSCLC组织中VEGF、Flt-1、TGF-β1的阳性表达率和表达强度均与肿瘤淋巴结转移密切相关;随年龄增长,VEGF及其受体Flt-1的阳性表达率有所降低(P<0·05)。结论VEGF、Flt-1、TGF-β1的表达与NSCLC组织内肿瘤血管生成和淋巴结转移有密切关系,VEGF、Flt-1的表达与患者的年龄有一定关系。     

基质金属蛋白酶-2 C端片段PEX的原核表达及其对血管发生的抑制作用

为了克隆表达鸡的基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)的C端片段PEX,并探讨其对血管发生的抑制作用,利用RT-PCR从鸡胚成纤维细胞克隆MMP-2 C端片段PEX,构建原核表达载体pCal-n-PEX;转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)-pLys,异丙基β-D硫代半乳糖苷（IPTG）诱导产生PEX融合蛋白,包涵体蛋白用盐酸胍法变性、复性;生长曲线观察PEX融合蛋白对人脐静脉血管内皮细胞增殖的影响;鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管发生实验研究其对血管发生的抑制作用.结果表明融合蛋白CBP/PEX具有抑制人脐静脉血管内皮细胞的生长和鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管发生的作用.提示PEX是有待进一步开发的潜在抑制血管发生的药物.     

CD147与肿瘤浸润转移的生物学行为的相互关系

CD147是一种在多种组织细胞膜表面表达的跨膜糖蛋白,通过诱导基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinase,M M P)产生,强化胶原蛋白酶水解作用,且可以与整联蛋白(integrin)α3β1和α6β1形成复合体,促进基底膜的降解和肿瘤细胞的移出。另外CD147的过表达促进肿瘤血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)的大量产生,加速肿瘤血管的生成和生长。现在就C D147在肿瘤浸润转移等方面的研究进展作一综述。     

Ad-Ang1-IRES-VEGF165腺病毒载体的构建及其促血管形成作用

目的:构建人血管生成素1(Ang1)和血管内皮生长因子VEGF165 (VEGF165)的共表达腺病毒载体Ad-Ang1-IRES-VEGF165(简称Ad-AV),为研究Ad-AV转基因细胞表达产物血管诱生活性提供实验依据。方法:采用IRES介导的Ang1和VEGF165双基因腺病毒共表达模式,通过常规的基因克隆和重组技术,构建Ad-AV双基因共表达腺病毒载体,经感染人胚肾QBI-293A细胞(293A)进行扩增和效价测定后,再感染WI-38人胚肺成纤维细胞,均用ELISA法检测VEGF、Ang1目的基因的表达,并采用鸡胚尿囊膜血管形成实验(CAM)法分析其对血管形成的影响。结果: 扩增的Ad-AV腺病毒效价可达4×10¹⁰pfu/ml;Ad-AV不仅能在293A细胞中成功表达目的基因Ang1、VEGF,而且在WI-38成纤维细胞也能成功表达,其表达产物具有显著的促进CAM上血管生成的活性。结论:成功构建并获得了Ad-Ang1-IRES-VEGF165重组病毒子, 目的基因均能在人胚肾和人胚肺成纤维细胞中表达,其表达产物具有诱导血管形成的功能。     

靶向抑制VEGF在肺癌治疗中的应用前景

血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）是介导肿瘤血管生成最重要因子,与肺癌细胞增殖、转移及预后密切相关。靶向沉默VEGF基因及抑制其受体表达在肺癌治疗中具有光明的应用前景。本文就此进行综述。     

白芨中萜类化合物通过诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡抑制血管生成

本文研究了白芨中的萜类化合物对血管生成的抑制作用．及其抑制血管生成的可能机制。采用萃取和色谱法从白芨中分离和纯化了该萜类化合物。通过鸡胚绒毛囊膜（CAM）和人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVEC）研究了白芨中萜类化合物及其粗提物对血管及血管内皮细胞的抑制作用。结果表明,含该萜类的粗提物显著抑制鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管生成;该萜类纯品能明显抑制HUVEC增殖,且可诱导HUVEC凋亡,包括细胞体积缩小,细胞膜起泡,细胞核裂解,染色质浓缩和边集,出现凋亡小体,DNA降解。因此．白芨萜类化合物的抗血管生成作用与诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡有关。     

Blockade of the Ras/MEK/ERK and Ras/PI3K/Akt pathways by statins reduces the expression of bFGF, HGF, and TGF-β as angiogenic factors in mouse osteosarcoma

The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in modulating malignant behavior and can dramatically influence cancer treatment strategies. We investigated whether statins inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) mRNA in the mouse osteosarcoma cell line LM8. We found that statins significantly inhibited mRNA expressions of bFGF, HGF, and TGF-β, and bFGF, HGF, and TGF-β secretions at concentrations that did not have antiproliferative effects on LM8 cells, but had no effect on the mRNA expression and secretion of VEGF. The inhibition of bFGF, HGF, and TGF-β mRNA expression, and bFGF, HGF, TGF-β secretions was reversed when geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway, was used in combination with statins. Furthermore, statins reduced the membrane localization of K-Ras, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and phosphorylated Akt. Our research indicates that statins inhibit GGPP biosynthesis in the mevalonate pathway, and then inhibit signal transduction in the Ras/ERK and Ras/Akt pathways, thereby inhibiting bFGF, HGF, TGF-β expression in LM8 cells. These results suggest that statins are potentially useful as anti-angiogenic agents for the treatment of osteosarcoma.     

Correlation of bFGF, FGFR-1 and VEGF expression with vascularity and malignancy of human astrocytomas

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of angiogenic factor expression levels with the degrees of malignancy and vascularity and their clinicopathologic significance in astrocytomas. STUDY DESIGN: Factor VIII-related antigen (FVIII-RAg) was used as the marker of endothelia and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); FGF receptor (FGFR)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were qualitatively and quantitatively detected with immunohistochemistry and image analysis in 61 brain astrocytomas. The correlation with tumor grades, angiogenesis and prognosis was studied. RESULTS: Measurement of FVIIIRAg expression could describe endothelial proliferation and vascularity, which were related to grade of tumor and prognosis. bFGF and VEGF expression levels in neoplastic astrocytes and endothelia were significantly different in various grades of astrocytoma. These angiogenic factors affected the positive reaction areas and integral optical densities of FVIII-RAg as well as survival time. In contrast, the expression of FGFR-1 was related to neither bFGF nor FVIIIRAg and had no significant effect on tumor malignancy. CONCLUSION: Positive regulation by bFGF and autocrine/paracrine VEGF contributes to the growth and angiogenesis of astrocytomas. Measurement of endothelial cell proliferation with FVIIIRAg in tumor stroma and quantitative detection of angiogenic factor levels in neoplastic cells had prognostic value in brain astrocytomas. The results also indicate that inhibiting bFGF and VEGF expression and/or blocking their effects could be a very useful therapeutic strategy for malignant gliomas.     

Transforming growth factor-β1 stimulates macrophage urokinase expression and release of matrix-bound basic fibroblast growth factor

Macrophage expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) appears to play a role in their release of matrix-bound basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). In experiments reported here, we have examined the potential regulatory effects of bFGF and TGF-β1 on macrophage uPA expression. TGF-β1 stimulated in a dose- and time-dependent manner the expression of secreted membrane and intracellular uPA activities by a macrophage cell line (RAW264.7). When examined at similar concentrations, bFGF had little effect, and interleukin-1α, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte colony stimulating factor had no effect on macrophage uPA expression. Exposure of macrophages to TGF-β1 led to a rapid and sustained increase in the steady-state levels of uPA mRNA that was independent of de novo protein synthesis and was completely inhibited by actinomycin D. However, the TGF-β1-induced increase in uPA mRNA was largely unaffected by subsequent incubation of cells with actinomycin D. The protein kinase C inhibitior H7 markedly reduced the ability of TGF-β1 to stimulate expression of uPA activity. Likewise, okadaic acid and microcystin, inhibitors of serine/threonine phosphatases, potentiated the ability of TGF-β1 to upregulate macrophage uPA expression. TGF-β1 primed cells converted nearly all added plasminogen to plasmin and expressed sixfold more membrane-bound plasmin than control cells. Preincubation of TGF-β1 with either serum or methylamine-modified α2-macroglobulin did not affect its ability to induce macrophage uPA expression. When control and TGF-β1-primed macrophages were cultured on matrices containing bound¹²⁵I-bFGF, their release of ¹²⁵I-bFGF was increased five and tenfold, respectively, in the presence of plasminogen. The ability of TGF-β to induce macrophage uPA expression and the plasmin-dependent release of matrix-bound bFGF may provide an indirect mechanism by which TGF-β stimulates angiogenesis. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Retinal pigment epithelium-derived transforming growth factor-β2 inhibits the angiogenic response of endothelial cells by decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 expression

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that is known to modulate various aspects of endothelial cell (EC) biology. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is important for regulating angiogenesis of choriocapillaris and one of the main cell sources of TGF-β secretion, particularly TGF-β2. However, it is largely unclear whether and how TGF-β2 affects angiogenic responses of ECs. In the current study, we demonstrated that TGF-β2 reduces vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) expression in ECs and thereby inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling and VEGF-induced angiogenic responses such as EC migration and tube formation. We also demonstrated that the reduction of VEGFR-2 expression by TGF-β2 is due to the suppression of JNK signaling. In coculture of RPE cells and ECs, RPE cells decreased VEGFR-2 levels in ECs and EC migration. In addition, we showed that TGF-β2 derived from RPE cells is involved in the reduction of VEGFR-2 expression and inhibition of EC migration. These results suggest that TGF-β2 plays an important role in inhibiting the angiogenic responses of ECs during the interaction between RPE cells and ECs and that angiogenic responses of ECs may be amplified by a decrease in TGF-β2 expression in RPE cells under pathologic conditions.     

Site-dependent angiogenic cytokine production in human tumor xenografts

Tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Differences in site of tumor implantation result in differences in tumor growth, metastasis, as well as response to chemotherapy. We hypothesized that tumor-induced angiogenic growth factor production into the plasma will also be influenced by site of tumor implantation. We evaluated the site-dependent production of angiogenic growth factors in the plasma of tumor bearing animals at two different sites of implantation. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated in nude mice bearing A2780, SKOV-3, or OVCAR-3 human ovarian tumors, as well as Panc-1, AsPC-1, or BxPC-3 human pancreatic tumors grown as subcutaneous (SC) xenografts or in the intraperitoneal (IP) cavity. Plasma VEGF and bFGF levels produced by two ovarian tumor lines and two pancreatic tumor lines were substantially higher when the tumors were implanted in the IP cavity than in the SC space. These studies indicated that the site of tumor implantation was an important determinant in the production of plasma VEGF and bFGF levels. As more and more anti-angiogenic agents are developed, the need for appropriate animal models becomes apparent. These results suggest the demand for an appropriate model for the in vivo evaluation of anti-angiogenesis.     

VEGF and bFGF mRNA Are Expressed in Ethylnitrosourea-Induced Experimental Rat Gliomas

1. Which angiogenic growth factors actually mediate tumor growth in ethylnitrosourea (ENU)-induced gliomas in rats was examined.2. In situ hybridization histochemistry with digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probes was used to investigate the cellular expression and distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNAs in ENU-induced gliomas.3. Both VEGF and bFGF mRNAs were not detected in normal gial cells but in ENU-induced glioma cells.4. Our results suggest that the growth of ENU-induced glioma may be regulated by multiple angiogenic growth factors and that these gliomas may proliferate by synthesizing such growth factors.     

Transforming growth factor-beta1 enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis in mesenchymal stem cells

Angiogenesis is essential for transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most potent angiogenic factors identified to date. Elevated VEGF levels in MSCs correlate with the potential of MSCs transplantation. As an indirect angiogenic agent, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. However, the effect of TGF-β1 on VEGF synthesis in MSCs is still unknown. Besides, the intracellular signaling mechanism by which TGF-β1 stimulates this process remains poorly understood. In this article, we demonstrated that exposure of MSCs to TGF-β1 stimulated the synthesis of VEGF. Meanwhile, TGF-β1 stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Moreover, Ly 294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt significantly attenuated the VEGF synthesis stimulated by TGF-β1. Additionally, U0126, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2, also significantly attenuated the TGF-β1-stimulated VEGF synthesis. These results indicated that TGF-β1 enhanced VEGF synthesis in MSCs, and the Akt and ERK1/2 activation were involved in this process.     

穿心莲内酯对人肺癌细胞增殖以及侵袭相关分子表达的影响

目的:观察穿心莲内酯(Andrographolide,AD)对人非小细胞肺癌细胞系H3255细胞的生长抑制作用,并研究其对肿瘤生长相关标记物血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)、转化生长因子(transforming growth factor,TGF)β1的表达以及蛋白激酶C(protein kinase C,PKC)的活性有无影响。方法:体外培养H3255细胞,分别用1.0、2.5、5.0μmol/L的AD在处理细胞24h。MTT法检测细胞的增殖,比色法检测乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)的释放情况。ELISA检测DNA片段化情况以及VEGF和TGF-β1的产生;无机磷法检测Na+-K+-ATP酶活性以及磷基转移法测得PKC活性。结果:AD处理能呈剂量依赖性方式降低H3255细胞的活性以及Na+-K+-ATP酶活性(P<0.05),同时也能促进LDH的释放和DNA片段的形成,并减少肺癌细胞VEGF和TGFβ1的水平和PKC的磷酸化。结论:AD对肺癌细胞具有一定的抑制作用,有望成为一种潜在的肿瘤治疗药物。     

Expression of developmentally regulated endothelial cell locus 1 was induced by tumor-derived factors including VEGF

Developmentally regulated endothelial cell locus 1 (Del1) is a new angiogenic molecules expressed specifically in early embryonic endothelial cells. We investigated the relationship between Del1 and tumor cell-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Dunn osteosarcoma cells and high- and low-metastatic murine sarcoma cells did not express Del1. However, the expression of Del1 was observed in these primary tumor tissues and the pulmonary metastatic tissues after subcutaneous inoculation in vivo. Every tumor cell-conditioned medium containing VEGF induced the expression of Del1 in murine lung microvascular endothelial (MLE) cells, although control MLE cells did not express Del1. The anti-mouse VEGF monoclonal antibody inhibited the induction of the Del1 expression. In addition, mouse recombinant interleukin-1alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha also induced Del1 in MLE cells. Del1 may play an important role in tumor angiogenesis through the effects of tumor-derived factors including VEGF.     

Clinical relevance of serum angiogenic activity in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and progression and is mediated by positive and negative regulators of vessel growth. Since angiogenic mediators found in patient serum have been postulated to reflect the angiogenic potential of a malignant tumor, we investigated the angiogenic activity in the serum of patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The data were correlated to tumor characteristics and the clinical course of the patients. Eighty-one patients with transitional cell carcinoma and 53 control persons were included in the study. Preoperative serum samples were collected and both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were quantified by ELISA. Additionally, the serum evoked proliferative activity on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was evaluated. Data were compared to the clinical course of the patients. Serum of tumor patients significantly enhanced the proliferative capacity of HUVEC, compared to cells grown in standard culture medium (p = 0.0032), but not when compared to serum from control persons. Serum from patients with superficial TCC and well differentiated tumors induced a significantly higher angiogenic response (ANG(hi)) than serum from patients with poorly differentiated and invasive carcinomas (ANG(lo); p = 0.037). VEGF level of ANG(hi) serum was 384.22 +/- 247.76 pg/ml (n = 37) which significantly differed from mean VEGF level detected in ANG(lo) serum (247.72 +/- 211.93 pg/ml, n = 42; p = 0.019). Similarly, mean bFGF levels were 9.58 +/- 5.91 pg/ml in ANG(hi) serum versus 5.74 +/- 3.52 pg/ml) in ANG(lo) serum (p = 0.0043). A negative correlation was established between VEGF/bFGF serum concentration and patient prognosis. The experiments demonstrate a positive correlation between VEGF and bFGF serum level and endothelial proliferation in vitro. The inverse relationship between angiogenic activity and tumor stage might disclose information about angiogenesis and tumor progression in TCC.