Ets-1 regulates angiogenesis by inducing the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and matrix metalloproteinase-1 and the migration of vascular endothelial cells

Expression of E26 transformation-specific-1, matrix metalloproteinases-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in colorectal carcinoma

AIM: To study the expression of E26 transformation-specific-1 (Ets-1), matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human colorectal carcinoma, and to explore the role of Ets-1 in the angiogenesis and metastasis of carcinoma.

METHODS: The expression of Ets-1, MMP-1 and VEGF were detected in colorectal carcinoma (n = 61) and normal colon tissues (n = 21) by the immunohistochemical method respectively.

RESULTS: Ets-1, MMP-1 and VEGF were negatively expressed in all normal mucosal tissues. The positive rates of Ets-1, MMP-1 and VEGF expression were 75.4%, 78.7% and 82.0% in colorectal carcinoma respectively. No significant correlation was found between their positive rates and tumor′s size as well as the differentiation (P >0.05). The expression of Ets-1, MMP-1 and VEGF were significantly correlated with Duke's staging (χ² = 10.718, P <0.01; χ² = 8.323, P <0.01; χ² = 6.145, P <0.05), the depth of invasion (χ² = 7.705, P <0.01; χ² = 19.101, P <0.01; χ² = 14.707, P <0.01), lymphatic invasion (χ² = 9.333, P <0.01; χ² = 3.965, P <0.05; χ² = 4.638, P <0.05) and distant metastasis (χ² = 5.472, P <0.05; χ² = 4.125, P <0.05; χ² = 5.034, P <0.05). Ets-1 expression was positively associated with MMP-1 and VEGF level (r = 0.447, P <0.01; r = 0.425, P <0.05).

CONCLUSION: Ets-1 was over-expressed in colorectal carcinoma, and its expression was related to clinical staging, invasion and metastasis. Ets-1 expression was also positively related to MMP-1 and VEGF level. Their expression can become referential indexes to predict the malignant behavior of colorectal carcinoma.