Dermatomyositis with Peripheral Nervous System Involvement: Activation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and VEGF Receptor (VEGFR) in Vasculitic Lesions

Naoko MATSUI; Takao MITSUI; Itsuro ENDO; Yasushi OSHIMA; Makoto KUNISHIGE; Toshio MATSUMOTO

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.42.1233

Naoko MATSUI, Takao MITSUI, Itsuro ENDO, Yasushi OSHIMA, Makoto KUNISHIGE, Toshio MATSUMOTO

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Keywords: neuropathy, vasculitis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors (VEGFRs)

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2003 Volume 42 Issue 12 Pages 1233-1239

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.42.1233

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Abstract

We describe two cases of dermatomyositis (DM) with nervous system involvement. Poly neuropathy was observed in both patients, and cerebral vasculitis was suspected in one patient. Histological examination of biopsied specimens of skeletal muscles, skin and sural nerves revealed vasculitis. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) were overexpressed in vasculitic lesions. Although, VEGF and VEGFRs were not detected in biopsied specimens of skeletal muscle from normal subjects, they were observed in one of two patients with DM who did not exhibit neuropathy. These findings suggest the possibility that VEGF overproduction is associated with development of vasculitis in some cases of DM complicated with peripheral neuropathy.
(Internal Medicine 42: 1233-1239, 2003)

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