Fresh ATL leukemic cells express VEGF and bFGF.

(A) Analysis of VEGF and bFGF mRNA isoforms. Fresh leukemic cells from 3 patients with acute ATL (P1, P2, and P3) and fresh lymphocytes from 4 healthy controls (C1, C2, C3, and C4) were analyzed for VEGF and bFGF mRNA expression by RT-PCR using 500 ng total RNA. (B) Detection of cell-associated VEGF and bFGF proteins. Total cell extracts from 2 patients with acute ATL (P1 and P2) and fresh lymphocytes from 4 healthy controls (C1, C2, C3, and C4) were analyzed by Western blot using anti-VEGF– and anti-bFGF–specific antibodies. Anti-GAPDH antibodies were used for assessment of protein loading.