The Expressions of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and iNOS in Lgmphatic Vessels of Human Breast Cancer

Objective To explore the mechanism of lymphangiogenesis in breast cancer,the mRNA expression of vascular epithelial growth factor-c(VEGF-C),VEGF receptor-3(VEGFR-3)and iNOS in breast cancer were assessed and the relationship between three gene expression and lymphatic vessel density(LVD)were analysed.Methods RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of VEGF-C,V EGFR-3,iNOSmRNA.Immunohistochemistry was to used detect VEGFR-3 protein.Results LVD in tumor(20.35±4.23)was higher than that in normal tissue(P0.05).The positive percentages in tumors were 74.0% for VEGF-C,84.0% for VEGFR-3,82.0% for iNOS,higher than those in normal tissue(P0.05).LVD in VEGF-C,VEGFR-3,iNOS positive groups was 21.34±3.45,18.54±4.68 and 17.34±4.76 respectively,higher than that in controls(P0.05).Conclusion The positive relationship of VEGF-C,VEGFR-3 and iNOS expressions with LVD suggests that these gene may play important role in lymphangiogenesis in breast cancer.