@article {Lee:December 2006:1081-1206:794,
	author = "Lee, Sook Y.",
	author = "Kwon, Soon",
	author = "Kim, Kwan H.y.o.u.n.g.",
	author = "Moon, Hwa S.i.k.",
	author = "Song, Jung S.u.p.",
	author = "Park, Sung H.a.k.",
	author = "Kim, Young K.y.o.o.n.",
	title = "Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-inducible factor in the airway of asthmatic patients",
	journal = "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology",
	volume = "97",
	year = "December 2006",
	abstract = "Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent proangiogenic cytokine, and it also increases vascular permeability. It is well known that VEGF levels are increased in the airway of asthmatic patients. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) induces a rapid and strong increase in VEGF expression.<P></P> <P></P> Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between VEGF level and clinical characteristics and to determine whether VEGF expression is associated with HIF expression in asthmatic patients.<P></P> <P></P> Methods: Bronchoscopy was performed on 30 asthmatic patients and 14 control subjects. The concentration of VEGF in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We measured VEGF, HIF-1&#945;, and HIF-2&#945; expression on biopsy specimens by means of immunoreactivity.<P></P> <P></P> Results: The VEGF level in the BALF was significantly higher in asthmatic patients than in controls. The VEGF level correlated with eosinophil counts in the BALF in asthmatic subjects (<I>r</I> &#61; 0.501; <I>P</I> &#60; .01). However, the VEGF level did not correlate with percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and airway hyperresponsiveness. Asthmatic patients exhibited higher VEGF, HIF-1&#945;, and HIF-2&#945; immunoreactivity in the submucosa than did controls. Furthermore, VEGF expression correlated significantly with HIF-1&#945; (<I>r</I> &#61; 0.614; <I>P</I> &#61; .02) and HIF-2&#945; (<I>r</I> &#61; 0.881; <I>P</I> &#61; .001) expression.<P></P> <P></P> Conclusion: These findings suggest that VEGF may play an important role in inflammation and that VEGF level is related to HIF in bronchial asthma.",
	pages = "794-799(6)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/acaai/aaai/2006/00000097/00000006/art00011"
}