Lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in abdominal aortic aneurysm walls.

<p><b>A</b>, Elastica van Gieson staining of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) wall. Microvessels in the intima/media are encircled by a red dotted-line. <b>B</b>, Higher magnification of the area outlined with a solid line in <b>A</b>. Immunohistochemistry for podoplanin (<b>C</b>), CD31 (<b>D</b>), VEGFR-1 (<b>E</b>), VEGFR-2 (<b>F</b>), VEGFR-3 (<b>G</b>), VEGF-A (<b>H</b>), VEGF-C (<b>I</b>), and Ki-67 (<b>J</b>) in the area outlined with a solid line in <b>A</b>. The microvessels encircled by the red dotted-line consisted of podoplanin-positive cells (<b>C</b>) and CD31-positive cells (<b>D</b>). These microvessels were positive for VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 (<b>E–G</b>). Expression of VEGF-A and C was increased within and around these microvessels (<b>H, I</b>). The nuclei of these microvessels were positive for Ki-67 (<b>H</b>). <b>K</b>, Comparison of mRNA expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 between normal aorta and AAA. Data were obtained from 10 AAA patients and 9 autopsied cases (controls). Data were analyzed by comparative Ct method. All of the mRNAs except VEGF-D were upregulated in AAA tissues. Standard deviation is indicated by bar errors. * indicates p<0.05 vs control. Scale bars indicated 200 µm (<b>A</b>), 50 µm (<b>B–J</b>).