M. Guschmann, W. Henrich, J. W. Dudenhausen
Chorioangiomas – new insights into a well-known problem
II. An immuno-histochemical investigation of 136 cases
Aims. Chorioangiomas are benign tumors of the hemochorial
placenta. They are malformations or hamartomas,
formed as a result of defective angiogenesis. They
are of clinical importance due to their association with
premature placental release and pre-eclampsia.
Methods. Since a link has been established in neoplasias
between tumor growth and an increased expression of angiogenic
growth factors, 136 samples of chorioangiomas
and 136 samples of tumor-free placental tissue were examined
in terms of proliferation rate and expression of
the growth factors angiopoietin-1 and -2, the angiopoietin-receptor Tie-2, PDGF and the PDFG ?-receptor.
Results. The chorioangiomas exhibited differing proliferation
rates, whereas tumor-free placental tissue barely
proliferated at all. Angiopoietin expression was?morphologically?considerably higher within the chorioangiomas
than in the comparison placentas; morphological
amounts of the Tie-2 receptor were identical in all samples.
Expression of PDGF and its receptor was the same
for chorioangiomas and tumor-free placentas.
Conclusions. According to this study and the current literature
in the field of hamartomas and some neoplasia,
we can assume that increased growth factor expression
plays a role in the formation of chorioangiomas, since it
stimulates proliferation in a wide variety of cell compartments.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 31, 03/2003
Pages: 170 - 175
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