Abstract:Objective To investigate the effects of angiopioetins and tyrosine kinase receptor Tie2 ，vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）on the angiogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC）.
Methods With the methods of RTPCR and immunohistochemistry, the specimens from 28 HCC patients, 10 cirrhotics, and 10 normal livers were analysed, and the relationship between angiopioetins, VEGF expression and the clinical pathological characteristics of HCC was studied.
Results Ang/Tie2 and VEGF were significantly upregulated in HCC compared to cirrhotic tissue and normal liver tissue. Immunohistochemical staining also showed increased expression of Ang2,VEGF,Tie2 protein in HCC. A high Ang2/Ang1mRNA ratio and high VEGF in HCC were closely associated with tumor vascular invasion and microvascular density level which assesssed by CD34.
Conclusions Ang /Tie2 and VEGF may play critical roles in promoting tumor angiogenesis and progression in human HCC.