VEGF Induces Vascular Leakage, Edema and Cervical Epithelial Growth in Mice Cervix

Abstract

Cervical remodeling (CR) is characterized by pronounced vascular alterations and cellular growth, such as increase in vascular leakage, white blood cell (WBC) tissue infiltration and cervical epithelial growth. However, factors that underlie these changes are not completely known. Here, we build on our previous data and investigate in depth the specific effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the best characterized angiogenic factor, on vascular leakage, edema, and cervical epithelial growth. Ovariectomized mice were treated with recombinant VEGF protein to determine the optimal dosage (vehicle, 50ng, 200ng and 400ng/mouse twice daily for 4 days, IP and intra‐vaginal alternately) and cervical tissues were harvested and analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM), immunohistochemistry (Anti‐BrdU) and tissue hydration techniques. Mice used for cervical epithelial growth studies were also administered BrdU. VEGF was found to induce pronounced cervical epithelial growth and WBC infiltration and moderately increased edema in a dose‐dependent manner. These results demonstrate that VEGF is a potent regulatory factor of multiple processes of CR.