Isoform-specific expression of VEGF-B in normal tissues and tumors

Growth Factors. 2001;19(1):49-59. doi: 10.3109/08977190109001075.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B), a member of the VEGF/PDGF family, is highly expressed in many tissues with two differentially spliced transcripts generating two secreted isoforms, VEGF-B167 and VEGF-B186. In this work, we have investigated the expression of VEGF-B in tissues and cell lines using techniques that can distinguish the two isoforms. The results showed that the VEGF-B167 isoform was predominantly expressed in most tissues, accounting for more than 80% of the total VEGF-B transcripts. The VEGF-B186 isoform was expressed at lower levels and only in a limited number of tissues. Moreover, the VEGF-B186 isoform was up-regulated in mouse and human tumor cell lines and primary tumors compared with their corresponding normal tissues. Taken together, our data suggest a fine genetic control of the expression of the two isoforms of VEGF-B, implying tissue- and cell-specific roles of the two VEGF-B isoforms.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / chemistry
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Lymphokines / genetics
  • Lymphokines / pharmacology
  • Melanoma / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pheochromocytoma / metabolism
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • RNA Probes
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Lymphokines
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA Probes
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors