Expression of Livin and vascular endothelial growth factor in different clinical stages of human esophageal carcinoma

Figure 1 A: The expression of Livin was measured by IHC (SP × 400). Optical density value and positive cell percentage in clinicopathologic stage two, three and four was significantly higher than that of stage one (^bP < 0.01). Furthermore, optical density value and positive cell percentage in clinicopathologic stage four was significantly higher than that of stage two and three (^dP < 0.01). IHC showed that Livin had significant expression in the cytoplasm and nucleus in the Stage II, III and IV (the cytoplasm and nucleus had stained yellow), slight expression in the cytoplasm and nucleus in Stage I (the cytoplasm and nucleus had slightly stained yellow); B: The expression of Livin by Western blotting showed that expression of Livin in clinicopathologic stage two, three and four was significantly higher than that of stage one (^fP < 0.01). Optical density value and positive cell percentage in clinicopathologic stage four was significantly higher than that of stage two and three (^hP < 0.01); C: mRNA level of Livin was tested by RT-PCR. Up-regulation of Livin gene transcription matched with the protein level of Livin that was significantly increased along with the progression of esophageal carcinoma. Optical density value in clinicopathologic stage two, three and four was significantly higher than that of stage one (^jP < 0.01). Optical density value and positive cell percentage in clinicopathologic stage four was significantly higher than that of stage two and three (^lP < 0.01).

Figure 2 Assay of level of VEGF. A: The expression of VEGF by Western blotting showed that expression of VEGF in clinicopathologic stage two, three and four was significantly higher than that of stage one (^bP < 0.01). Optical density value in clinicopathologic stage two, three and four was significantly higher than that of stage one (^bP < 0.01). Optical density value and positive cell percentage in clinicopathologic stage four was significantly higher than that of stage two and three (^dP < 0.01); B: Up-regulation of VEGF gene transcription matched with the protein level of VEGF that was significantly increased along with the progression of esophageal carcinoma. Optical density value in clinicopathologic stage two, three and four was significantly higher than that of stage one (^fP < 0.01). Optical density value and positive cell percentage in clinicopathologic stage four was significantly higher than that of stage two and three (^hP < 0.01).