The study of relationship between the expression of VEGF and Ang-2 and Tie-2 in endometriosis

Abstract

Objective: To detect the expression of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), Ang-2 (angiopoietin-2) and Tie-2 in endometriosis (EMs) and their correlations with menstrual cycle and clinical stage.

Methods: Thirty specimens of normal endometrium, eutopic endometrium and ectopic endometrium tissues were collected. The expression of VEGF, Ang-2 and Tie-2 was detected by immunohistochemistry methods.

Results: The positive rate of expression of VEGF in the normal endometrium, eutopic endometrium and ectopic endometrium tissues gradually increased (16.67%, 86.67%, 90.00%), compared three groups (p < .01). The positive rate of expression of Ang-2 in the normal endometrium, eutopic endometrium and ectopic endometrium tissues was 33.33%, 70.00%, 60.00%, respectively (p < .05). The positive rate of expression of Tie-2 in the normal endometrial, eutopic endometrium and ectopic endometrial tissues was 13.33%, 50.00%, 40.00%, respectively (p < .01). The expression of VEGF, Ang-2 and Tie-2 was closely correlated with each other (r = 0.875, r = 0.905, r = 0.898).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that there is a close relation between VEGF, Ang-2 and Tie-2, the up-regulation of VEGF and Ang-2 may cooperatively contribute to survival and invasion of EMs. This may provide new targets for therapy of EMs.