Expression of VEGF -receptors in rabbit synovium with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE: To identify the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) expression in the rabbit synoviums with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement (ID). METHODS: Real-time PCR was used to detect VEGF receptor expression in synovium, after establishing the rabbit TMJ ID model for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks. VEGFRs mRNA expression was normalized by comparing VEGFRs mRNA with internal control GAPDH. SPSS13.0 software package was used for comparison of the differences between the two groups. RESULTS: In the first and fourth week, significant difference was observed in VEGFR-2 mRNA expression between the experimental group and control group; however, no statistical difference was found in VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-3 mRNA expression between the experimental group and control group. In the second and third week, there were no statistical differences in VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 mRNA expression between the experimental group and control group. CONCLUSION: VEGFR-2 may play an important role in TMJ ID and adhesion formation. Specific VEGFR-2 inhibitors may be used to prevent adhesion formation in TMJ ID. Supported by Research Fund of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (Grant No. 08DZ2271100), Grant of Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (Grant No.S30206), Grant of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Health (Grant No.2008160), Grant from Shanghai "Phosphor" Science Foundation (Grant No.04QMH1415), Grant from Ph.D. Creative Foundation of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (Grant No.BXJ0926), and Research Fund of Medicine and Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Grant No.YG2009MS42). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]