Peptide Growth Factors and Their Receptors in the Vein Wall

The varicose vein wall remodeling is a very complex process, which is controlled by numerous factors, including peptide growth factors. The aim of the study was to assess a/b FGF, IGF-1, TGF-β1, VEGF-A and their receptors in the vein wall. Varicose vein samples were taken from 24 patients undergoing varicose vein surgery. The control material consisted of vein specimens collected from 12 patients with chronic limb ischemia. Contents of aFGF, bFGF, IGF-I, TGF-β1, VEGF, IGF-1R, VEGF R1 and VEGF R2 were assessed with ELISA method. Protein expression of FGF R1 and TGF-β RII were evaluated with western blot. Increased contents of aFGF, IGF-1 and VEGF-A were found in varicose veins in comparison with normal ones (p<0.05). In contrast, a significant decrease in TGF-β content was demonstrated in varicose veins (p<0.05). Furthermore, there was no difference in bFGF content in both groups (p>0.05). IGF-1 R content was significantly increased in varicose veins (p<0.05). There was no difference in VEGF R1 content between varicose and normal veins (p>0.05), whereas VEGF R2 content was significantly increased in varicose veins (p<0.05). Western blot demonstrated increased expression of TGF-β RII in varicose veins (p<0.05) and similar expression of FGF R1 in both groups (p>0.05). Demonstrated changes in peptide growth factors and their receptors may disturb metabolism of extracellular matrix in the varicose vein wall and contribute to the development of the disease to its more advanced stages.