Increased expression of angiogenin in gastric carcinoma in correlation with tumor angiogenesis and proliferation

AIM: To investigate the implication of angiogenin (ANG) in the neovascularizaton and growth of human gastric carcinoma (HGC). METHODS: ANG mRNA expression in HGC specimens obtained by surgical resection from patients with HGC were examined by RT-PCR. ANG, Ki-67, VEGF protein expression and microvessel density (MVD) in HGC specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: RT-PCR showed significantly higher ANG mRNA expression (0.482 +/- 0.094) in HGC tissues than in the surrounding nontumorous tissues (0.276 +/- 0.019, P = 0.03). MVD within tumorous tissues increased significantly with ANG mRNA expression (r = 0.380, P = 0.001) and ANG protein expression (P < 0.01). The ANG expression levels of cancer tissues were positively correlated with VEGF (P < 0.01) and the proliferation index of cancer cells (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ANG is one of the neovascularization factors of HGC. ANG may work in coordination with VEGF, and promote the proliferation of HGC cells.