Overexpression of cathepsin K and vascular endothelial growth factor in chronic venous ulcerations

Paweł Kolano, Igor A Bednarski, Aleksandra Lesiak, Małgorzata Skibińska, Olga Stasikowska-Kanicka, Marian Danilewicz, Joanna Narbutt, Paweł Kolano, Igor A Bednarski, Aleksandra Lesiak, Małgorzata Skibińska, Olga Stasikowska-Kanicka, Marian Danilewicz, Joanna Narbutt

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a disabling condition affecting about 1% to 3% of the general population. Besides varicose veins, CVD can result also in the formation of severe skin lesions, especially venous ulcerations (VU). The exact mechanism of VU is still unknown.

Aim: To evaluate immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cathepsin K in healthy individuals and patients with VU.

Material and methods: The study included 12 patients with venous ulcers and 10 healthy individuals who served as controls; both groups were sex- and age-matched. Biopsy samples were obtained from lower leg areas and submitted to histochemical analysis.

Results: There was a significant difference between the study group and the control group in cathepsin K expression (1.007 ±0.3 vs. 0.22 ±0.2, respectively, p < 0.001) and VEGF expression (1.17 ±0.59 vs. 0.27 ±0.19, respectively, p < 0.001). Additionally, the microvessel density (per mm2) differed significantly between the study group and the control group (97.6 ±28.81 vs. 59.32 ±12.71, respectively, p < 0.001). We found no correlation between cathepsin K and microvessel density, and cathepsin K and VEGF in both groups, but there was a significant correlation between microvessel density and VEGF immunoexpression in the study group (r = 0.82, p = 0.002).

Conclusions: Increased immunoexpression of VEGF and cathepsin K suggests that both of these proteins may play a role in VU development.

Keywords: cathepsin K; immunohistochemistry; venous ulceration.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Copyright: © 2020 Termedia Sp. z o. o.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cytoplasmic staining of cathepsin K in dermal fibroblasts, inflammatory infiltrates in the patient from the study group. The immunohistochemical staining was performed as described in the Material and methods section. Magnification 200×
Figure 2
Figure 2
Weak immunoexpression of cathepsin K in the control patient. The immunohistochemical staining was performed as described in the Material and methods section. Magnification 200×
Figure 3
Figure 3
The VEGF protein immunoexpression in epithelial and endothelial cells as well as in some inflammatory infiltrates. The immunohistochemical staining was performed as described in the Material and methods section. Magnification 200×
Figure 4
Figure 4
In controls the immunoexpression of VEGF protein was found in keratinocytes (of the normal epidermis) and in endothelial cells. The immunohistochemical staining was performed as described in the Material and methods section. Magnification 200×

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