Expression of Aquaporin-1, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 in the Peritoneal Tissues of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients / 대한신장학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: AQP-1 (Aquaporin-1) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) are known to play an important role in ultrafiltration in peritoneal dialysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of AQP-1 and VEGF and VEGFR-1 (VEGF type 1 receptor) in peritoneums obtained from uremic non-dialyzed patients and peritoneal dialysis patients and to see if expression of these molecules are correlated with each other and with pathological findings in peritoneum. METHODS: Peritoneal expressions of AQP-1, VEGF and VEGFR-1 were examined by immunohistochemistry using specific antibody to each molecule. The degree of vascular proliferation and inflammation in peritoneal tissues were assessed semi-quantitatively by a single pathologist. RESULTS: AQP-1, VEGF and VEGFR-1 were mainly expressed in the vascular endothelial cells in the peritoneum. No significant difference in peritoneal expression of these molecules was found according to the clinical situations in which peritoneal tissues were obtained. The degree of expression of AQP-1 and VEGF were related to each other but not related to expression of VEGFR-1. The expressions of AQP-1 and VEGF were related to the vascular proliferation. The expression of AQP-1 was also related to inflammation. CONCLUSION: In end-stage renal disease patients before and after initiation of peritoneal dialysis, the peritoneal expressions of AQP-1 and VEGF were related to vascular proliferation. Inflammation might have some influence in expression of AQP-1.