Elements regulating angiogenesis and correlative microvessel density in benign hyperplastic and malignant prostate tissue

Purpose: To quantify the ex vivo production of proangiogenic proteins (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA)) and angiogenesis inhibitors (plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and angiostatin) from epithelial and stromal components of primary prostate cancer (CaP) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cultures. To perform microvessel density (MVD) counts on sections of BPH and CaP from the same prostatectomy specimens. Scope: Angiogenic cytokine expression was measured by immunoassays and in vitro angiostatin generating capacities assessed using immunoblotting. CaP and BPH tissue was immunostained using factor VIII antibody to determine MVD. Conclusions: Elements regulating angiogenesis are present in both primary cultures of CaP and BPH, suggesting that angiogenic ability is well established in the absence of carcinoma.