Correlation of vascular endothelial growth factor and aquaporin 1 with angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients,and their correlation with angiogenesis.MethodsThe expression of VEGF and AQP1 in the synovial tissue was detected with immunohistoehemistry in 7 patients with RA,12 patients with osteoarthritis (OA).The expression of VEGF and AQP1 positive cells and vessels was scored,and the correlation of positive cells with vessels was analyzed.Rank-sum test and Spearman's correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.ResultsThe expression of VEGF positive cells was significantly correlated with vessels in the synovium of RA group(rs=0.971,P＜0.01 ).No significant correlation was found between VEGF positive cells and vessels in synovium of the OA group (rs=0.235,P=0.462).There was no evident difference in the expression of VEGF positive cells between RA and OA group (Z=-0.390,P=0.711 ).The expressions of AQP1 positive cells were significantly correlated with vessels in the synovium of RA group (rs=0.828,P=0.022).No significant correlation was found between AQP1 positive cells and vessels in the synovium of OA group (rs=0.396,P=0.203).There was no notable difference in the expression of AQP1 positive cells between RA and OA group (Z=-0.302,P=0.773).The expressions of VEGF positive cells were significantly correlated with AQP1 positive cells in RA group (rs=0.891,P=0.007).No significant correlation was found between VEGF positive cells and AQP1 positive cells in OA group (rs=0.338,P=0.283).ConclusionThe expressions of VEGF and AQP1 are significantly correlated with angiogenesis in the synovium of RA,and they play an important role in the pathology of RA.Moreover,there may be synergistic effect between VEGF and AQP1 in RA.