Abstract:

 To explore differences in characteristics of microvessels and mature vessels of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to investigate their relationship. MethodsThirtyone cases of HCC proved by pathology were enrolled in this study. Continuous slices were stained by immunohistochemistry for determination of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (Flk1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), CD34 and αsmooth muscle actin (SMA). Expressions of VEGF， Flk1, and PCNA were determined and vascular parameters such as number, mean area, overall area, circumference, diameter, distance among adjacent vessels (DAV), and variety indexes of microvessels and mature vessels were counted. Arterioles and veinlets, mature vessel indexes, mean perfused fraction (mPF), extracellular space (ES) and extracellular extravascular space (EES) were also calculated.  ResultsNumber, overall area and variety indexes of microvessels were more than those of mature vessels, whereas mean area, diameter and DAV were less than those of mature vessels (P＜0.05). Number, circumference, and ES were different in microvessels between positive and negative VEGF expressive groups, whereas they were not different in mature vessels (P＞0.05). Number, circumference and variety indexes of microvessels and arterioles were different among different Flk1 groups (P＜0.05). In addition, PCNA was positively correlated with variety indexes of microvessels (P=0.045, r=0.563), and negatively with DAV ConclusionThere vascular characteristics between microvessels and mature vessels. VEGF and its receptor, Flk1, may regulate the angiogenesis of microvessels, but they have few effects on mature vessels.

Key words: Carcinoma， hepatocellular; Angiogenesis; Microvessel; Mature vessel