AEG-1 promotes angiogenesis and may be a novel treatment target for tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The study explored the potential function of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) on angiogenesis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) in TSCC cell lines.

Methods: The different degrees of angiogenesis were detected in TSCC cell lines expressing different levels of AEG-1 by chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) experimental model. Next, we established xenografts of different TSCC cell lines with different expression levels of AEG-1 in nude mice and conducted immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of the angiogenesis-associated factor, that is, vascular endothelial growth receptor factor 2 (VEGFR-2) and microvessel density (MVD).