Lymphangiogenesis quantification in grastroenteric cancer by detecting lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 expression

Objective To investigate the distribution and expression of lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1(LYVE-1)in grastroenteric cancer and the relationship between LYVE-1 and the density of lymphangiogenesis.Methods Conventional PCR,real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining for LYVE-1 in specimens from 22 cases of grastroenteric cancer were performed to detect the formation of lymphangiogenesis.Results It was found that LYVE-1 existed in all grastroenteric cancer specimens.The median of concentration ratios of LYVE-1/β-actin in tumors and normal tissue were 1.8× 10~(-3)and 1.5×10~(-3)respectively and that in node positive and node negative specimens were 1.9×10~(-3)and 9.7×10~(-4)respectively.The density of lymphatic vessels was elevated in the perimeter of tumor relative to the interior and normal tissue.Conclusion Grastroenteric tumors have higher rates of lymphangiogenesis. The formation of lymphoducts occurs mainly in the margin of tumors,which may facilitate the spread of metastases to regional lymph nodes.LYVE-1 is a specific marker for the detection of lymphangiogenesis.