Clinical significance of vasculogenic mimicry and its correlation with extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer expression in gliomas

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and its relations with extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) expression and clinical data in gliomas. Methods Sixty-eight glioma specimens were collected in our hospital from January 2004 and April 2014, including 4 of grade I, 17 of grade II, 23 of grade III and 24 of grade IV. All specimens were preserved in paraffin embedded by standard procedures after surgery. Immunohistochemical staining of CD34 and PAS (dual staining) was employed to verify the existence of VM and EMMPRIN expression. The relations of VM with clinical data and EMMPRIN expression were analyzed. Results VM channels were found in 14 specimens of human gliomas (20.58%); higher incidence of VM in high-grade gliomas (WHO III: 5.88%; WHO IV: 13.24%) was noted as compared with that in low-grade gliomas (WHO I: 0.00%; WHO II: 1.47%,Z=2.843,P=0.008). There were no significant differences of VM appearance between patients of different age, gender and tumor sizes (P<0.05). EMMPRIN expression in glioma slices of VM appearance was significantly higher than that in glioma slices without VM appearance (Z=2.748,P=0.004). Conclusion VM exists in gliomas and VM is not only positively correlated with tumor grade, but also with EMMPRIN expression level; and it is not correlated with general clinicopathological features such as gender, age and tumor sizes. Key words: Glioma; Vasculogenic mimicry; Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer