Objective  To investigate the expression of Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in gastric carcinoma tissue and to examine their relationship with tumor angiogenesis and the biological behavior of gastric carcinoma.

  Methods  The expressions of NRP-1mRNA and VEGFmRNA were detected by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Microvascular density (MVD) marked by CD105-positive vascular with SP immunohistochemical staining was also assessed in surgical specimens of gastric carcinoma (GC) and normal gastric tissues (NG). The correlation of NRP-1mRNA, VEGFmRNA with clinical patholo?gical factors and the relationship among NRP-1mRNA, VEGFmRNA, and MVD were analyzed.

  Results  The expressions of NRP-1mRNA, VEGFmRNA, and CD105 in GC were significantly higher than those in NG (P < 0.01). The expressions of NRP-1mRNA and VEGFmRNA were closely correlated with the depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis in GC (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the expressions of NRP-1mRNA and VEGFmRNA (r=0.58, P < 0.01). MVD correlated with NRP-1 (r=0.52, P < 0.01) and with VEGF (r= 0.74, P < 0.01).

  Conclusion  Results indicated that the NRP-1 and VEGF expressions could be involved in the angiogenesis and tumor progression of human gastric carcinoma. The combined detection of NRP-1 and VEGF could also determine the invasion and progression of gastric carcinoma, which plays a particular role in guiding the anti-angiogenic therapy of cancer.