VEGF Induces Cervical Epithelial Proliferation in Mice: A Molecular and Morphological Study

Abstract

Cervical remodeling is a physiological inflammatory process associated with and possibly regulated by proliferating cervical epithelial. We have previously shown by SEM that administration of VEGF recombinant protein increases cervical epithelial folds in the cervix of pregnant and non‐pregnant rodents. In the present study, we show by SEM that VEGF blocker attenuates the epithelial folds and disfigures the epithelial cells. We also show by real time PCR that levels of PCNA, a marker for cellular proliferation, was up regulated in VEGF‐treated non‐pregnant mice versus control. The proliferating cell types were identified by histology and confocal microscopy. We conclude that VEGF plays a role in cervical remodeling, in part, by promoting proliferation of cervical epithelial cells and endothelial cells during angiogenesis.Grant Funding Source: Appalachian State University