NF1 gene silencing induces upregulation of VEGF expression in both Schwann and non‐Schwann cells
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is associated with typical hypervascular tumors, including neurofibroma, glioma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST), and glomus tumors. Previously, we and other groups reported that neurofibromas showed high‐level expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic factor involved in neovascularization. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the upregulation of VEGF in neurofibromas remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of Nf1 gene silencing on VEGF expression in Schwann cell and non‐Schwann cell line and the upstream mTOR‐HIF‐1α – VEGF pathway in Schwann cell line. The results indicated that Nf1 gene silencing by lentiviral‐mediated RNAi resulted in elevated expres...
