Immunohistochemical study of angiogenesis and angiogenic factors in equine granulosa cell tumours

• Published in: Research in veterinary science Vol. 92; no. 3; pp. 471 - 477
• Main Authors: Müller, K., Ellenberger, C., Hoppen, H.-O., Schoon, H.-A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier India Pvt Ltd 01.06.2012; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents - metabolism; Angiopoietin; Animals; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - physiology; Granulosa Cell Tumor - blood supply; Granulosa Cell Tumor - metabolism; Granulosa Cell Tumor - pathology; Granulosa Cell Tumor - veterinary; Granulosa cell tumour; Horse; Horse Diseases - metabolism; Horse Diseases - pathology; Horses; Neovascularization, Pathologic - metabolism; Neovascularization, Pathologic - veterinary; Ovarian tumour; Personal relationships; Proteins; Rodents; Testosterone; Vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGF; Veterinary medicine; Germany; Granulosa cell tumour; Angiogenesis; Ovarian tumour; Angiopoietin; VEGF; Horse
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2011.02.016

The first part of our study (Müller et al., 2009) characterized angiogenesis in the equine cycling ovary through histomorphological and immunohistochemical examinations (vascular endothelial growth factors A and B [VEGF A, VEGF B], vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 [VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2], vascular angiopoietins 1 and 2 [Ang1, Ang2], angiopoietin receptor [Tie2], and von Willebrand Factor). Since angiogenesis plays an important role in development and growth of numerous tumours, the second part of our study involved a similar examination of 70 equine granulosa cell tumours (GCTt). The results of the second study were compared with those of the normal equine ovary. Certain similarities in the expression pattern could be detected between normal, cyclical ovaries (Müller et al., 2009) and GCTt. The immunoreactivity of granulosa cells and Leydig-like cells in GCTt resembles granulosa cells and luteinized thecal cells in periovulatory cycling ovaries. The neoplastic cells support circulation, supply and growth of GCTt by contributing to angiogenesis.