Expression of integrin alphavbeta3 in gliomas correlates with tumor grade and is not restricted to tumor vasculature.

ABSTRACT: In malignant gliomas, the integrin adhesion receptors seem to play a key role for invasive growth and angiogenesis. However, there is still a controversy about the expression and the distribution of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin caused by malignancy. The aim of our study was to assess the extent and pattern of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin expression within primary glioblastomas (GBMs) compared with low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Tumor samples were immunostained for the detection of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin and quantified by an imaging software. The expression of alpha(v)beta(3) was found to be significantly higher in GBMs than in LGGs, whereby focal strong reactivity was restricted to GBMs only. Subsequent analysis revealed that not only endothelial cells but also, to a large extent, glial tumor cells c

SUBMITTER: Schnell O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2607528 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature