 |
|
Active Angiogenesis in an Extensive Arteriovenous Vascular MalformationA Possible Therapeutic Target?
Pedro Redondo, MD, PhD;
Antonio Martínez-Cuesta, MD;
Emilio G. Quetglas, MD;
Michel Idoate, MD, PhD
Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(8):1043-1045.
INTRODUCTION
Vascular malformations result from the aberrant development of vascular elements during embryogenesis and fetal maturation. Despite apparent endothelial quiescence, some vascular malformations can expand rapidly during adolescence or pregnancy, after a surgical procedure, or in response to trauma. The pathogenesis of vascular malformations is not well clarified, but their formation and progression are closely related to angiogenesis, a complicated network that is closely regulated by many angiogenic factors.1
REPORT OF A CASE
A 51-year-old man presented with an arteriovenous malformation in the left side of the trunk and arm (Figure, A). At the age of 20 years he underwent an amputation of his left arm because of incoercible repeated hemorrhagic episodes. Since then, the lesion has progressively grown, and soft, large, circumscribed blue-black tumors that repeatedly bleed have appeared.
|
|
|
|
Figure. Extensive arteriovenous vascular malformation in the trunk. The edges and the surface of the lesion are outlined by a network of blue erythematous telangiectasias. A, Throughout the lesion there are exophytic pediculated mushroomlike blue-black outgrowths, some with central ulceration. B, Vascular malformation is characterized by anomalous and dilated channels. Vessels show a well-differentiated endothelium. Frequently the vessels contained a discontinuous smooth muscle layer (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnification x200). C, An irregular and discontinuous anomalous smooth muscle coat is observed around malformed channels with immunostaining-specific myosin of smooth muscle (mouse anti–human smooth muscle myosin, heavy chain monoclonal antibody, unconjugated, clone SMMS1 [Dako, Glostrap, Denmark], original magnification x200).
|
|
|
Findings from a physical examination revealed a large vascular malformation in his trunk, thrill, and exophytic pediculated mushroomlike outgrowths. The exophytic lesions were extirpated, and findings from a biopsy specimen showed a benign vascular malformation (Figure, B and C). Serum levels of angiogenic factors are summarized in the Table. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) serum levels (increased x2), angiopoientin 2 (Ang-2) levels (increased x10), and Tie-2 (receptor tyrosine kinase-2) levels (increased x3) were increased in comparison to the control group. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) AB (PDGF-AB) and PDGF-BB levels were decreased (in one-third of the control group).
|
|
|
|
Table. Expression of Angiogenic Factors in Arteriovenous Vascular Malformation
|
|
|
The patient died of renal and multiorgan failure 3 months later while waiting for approval for bevacizumab treatment.
COMMENT
To our knowledge, there are no studies about serum angiogenic profiling in adult patients with vascular malformations. Marler et al2 showed that MMP and basic fibroblast growth factor levels are elevated in the urine of children with hemangiomas and vascular malformations when compared with controls.
Vascular endothelial growth factor, Ang-1, and Ang-2 have been reported as the most potent regulators for neovascularization. In the presence of VEGF, Ang-2 promotes a rapid increase in capillary diameter, remodeling of the basal lamina, and proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and stimulates sprouting of new blood vessels.3
In our patient, we found increased Ang-2 levels, which also occur in some brain arteriovenous malformations.4 We also detected increased levels of Tie-2 soluble receptor. Angiopoientin 2 is predominantly expressed in areas undergoing vascular remodeling. This could suggest that there is an abnormal disassembly level between endothelial cells and mesenchymal cells due to an abnormal balance in the Ang-2–Tie-2 system, leading to dilated vessels with insufficient mural cell components.
All capillaries are partially covered by pericytes. The pericyte-deficient mutant microvessels of PDGF-deficient embryos show endothelial cell hyperplasia, hypervariable diameter, abundant microaneurysms, and abnormal endothelial ultrastructure. Pericytes express PDGF receptor β and require PDGF-BB for their recruitment to new vessels in the course of angiogenesis.5 In our patient, the skin biopsy specimen demonstrated deficiency of mural cells in the newly formed exophytic lesions, in association with strikingly low serum levels of PDGF-AB and PDGF-BB.
Novel medical therapies are needed for active vascular malformations. The presence of an imbalance of angiogenic factors in this patient is in favor of their role in the pathogenesis of at least some vascular malformations. Dedicated studies with a many patients should confirm these findings, to define a therapeutic target in patients with active malformations who may be candidates for an antiangiogenic-specific medical treatment.1
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Correspondence: Pedro Redondo, MD, PhD, Department of Dermatology, University Clinic of Navarra, PO Box 4209, 31008 Pamplona, Spain (predondo{at}unav.es).
Accepted for Publication: February 14, 2007.
Author Contributions: Dr Redondo had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: Redondo. Acquisition of data: Redondo, Quetglas, and Idoate. Analysis and interpretation of data: Redondo. Drafting of the manuscript: Redondo and Martínez-Cuesta. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Redondo, Quetglas, and Idoate. Statistical analysis: Redondo. Obtained funding: Redondo. Administrative, technical, or material support: Redondo, Martínez-Cuesta, Quetglas, and Idoate. Study supervision: Redondo.
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Funding/Support: This study was supported in part by grant 45/2004 from the government of Navarra (Dr Redondo).
Role of the Sponsors: The sponsors had no role in the design and conduct of the study; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; or in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.
Author Affiliations: Departments of Dermatology (Dr Redondo), Radiology (Dr Martínez-Cuesta), Pharmacology (Dr Quetglas), and Pathology (Dr Idoate), University Clinic of Navarra, School of Medicine, Pamplona, Spain.
REFERENCES
| |
1. Perry BN, Arbiser JL. The duality of angiogenesis: implications for therapy of human disease. J Invest Dermatol. 2006;126(10):2160-2166.
FULL TEXT
|
ISI
| PUBMED
2. Marler JJ, Fishman SJ, Kilroy SM; et al. Increased expression of urinary matrix metalloproteinases parallels the extent and activity of vascular anomalies. Pediatrics. 2005;116(1):38-45.
FREE FULL TEXT
3. Lobov IB, Brooks PC, Lang RA. Angiopoietin-2 displays VEGF-dependent modulation of capillary structure and endothelial cell survival in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002;99(17):11205-11210. [published online ahead of print August 5, 2002].
FREE FULL TEXT
4. Hashimoto T, Lam T, Boudreau NJ, Bollen AW, Lawton MT, Young WL. Abnormal balance in the angiopoietin-tie2 system in human brain arteriovenous malformations. Circ Res. 2001;89(2):111-113.
FREE FULL TEXT
5. Hellström M, Gerhardt H, Kalen M; et al. Lack of pericytes leads to endothelial hyperplasia and abnormal vascular morphogenesis. J Cell Biol. 2001;153(3):543-553.
FREE FULL TEXT
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
|
