Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor in Airway of Asthma Patients

Keimyung Medical Journal 2005;24(1):49-57.

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor in Airway of Asthma Patients

기관지천식환자에서 기도의 혈관내피성장인자와 저산소증 유발인자의 표현

박재은; 이숙영; 김진숙; 권순석; 송정섭; 박성학

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is ond of the most potent inducers of vascular formation and also increases vascular permeability; which may contribute to pathogenesis of asthma. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is enhamced by hypoxic state and induces VEGF strongly. HIF-2α may have strong relationship with VEGF and pathogenesis of asthma. We evaluated the relationship between VEGF and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and hyperresponsiveness; obstruction of airway. Also we evaluated the relationship between VEGF and HIF-2α in asthmatics. BAL fluid and biopsy specimens of airway was obtained from 28 glucocorticoids free asthmatics and 12 healthy control subjecets. We exmained VEGF levels and eosinophil count from BAL fluid; and HIF-2α levels and VEGF levels from biopsy specimen. The VEGF levels were significantly higher in asthmatics than in control subjects (P<0.01); and did not correlate with metacholine-hyperresponsiveness and FEV1. The eosinophil count was correlated with VEGF levels in BAL fluid (r=0.501; P<0.01). The HIF-2α levels were significantly higher in asthmatics than control subjcets (P<0.05). correlated with VEGF levels (r=0.871; P<0.01). VEGF levels were increased in airway of asthmatics and correlated with degree of eosinophilic airway inflammation. HIF-2α levels were increased in airway of asthmatics. Furthermore; VEGF levels were significantly correlated with HIF-2α levels. These findings provide strong evidence that VEGF may play an impartant role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and regulated by HIF-2α

Key Words: Asthma, Bronchoalveolar lavage, Bronchoscopy, Hypoxia-inducible factor-2α, Vascular endothelial growth factor.