Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
VEGF or VEGF-A (also known as Vascular Permeability Factor (VPF)) is a potent mediator of both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in the foetus and adult. (1 to 3)
During embryogenesis VEGF regulates the proliferation, migration and survival of endothelial cells. It promotes bone formation through osteoblast and chondroblast recruitment and is also a monocyte chemoattractant. (3 to 7)
After birth VEGF maintains endothelial cell integrity and is a potent mitogen for micro- and macro-vascular endothelial cells.
In adults VEGF functions mainly in wound healing and the female reproductive cycle. (3)In diseased tissues, VEGF promotes vascular permeability and is thought to contribute to tumour metastasis by promoting both extravasation and tumour angiogenesis. (8, 9)Circulating VEGF levels correlate with disease activity in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (ME) and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). (10)VEGF is used to monitor treatment response in POEMS syndrome (a rare paraneoplastic syndrome due to an underlying plasma cell disorder), the acronym refers to several (but not all) of the features of the syndrome Polyradiculoneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal plasma cell disorder and Skin changesThe assay is a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique.
Specimen container paediatric:
SST serum tube
Specimen container adult:
SST serum tube
Special requirements:
Serum sample taken into an SST (Gel) tube – blood should be allowed to clot for 30 minutes after collection and the sample should then be centrifuged at 1000g for 15 minutes.
The serum should be decanted into a plastic storage tube and assayed immediately or stored frozen at -20°C or below until assay
If storing locally – please double spin the sample at the stated centrifuge speed and store below -20°C, transport samples on ice to arrive still frozen
Sample stability:
After separation serum samples are stable at freezer temperature (< -20°C) for at least 3 months
Transport requirements:
After collection samples should be transported to the laboratory without delay – see sample requirements above for storage details.
Add on test:
[email protected] (external)
Statement:
This test is not currently under the scope of UKAS accreditation but is fully quality assured.
Reference ranges:
Serum VEGF 62 – 707 pg/ml
Factors affecting result:
Incorrect sample preparation or storage may give unreliable resultsExtremely Lipaemic or grossly haemolysed samples may give inaccurate results and will be rejected
Referenced documents:
1. Leung, D.W. et al. (1989) Science 246:1306
2. Keck, P.J. et al. (1989) Science 246:1309
3. Byrne, A.M. et al (2005) J.Cell.Mol.Med.9:777
4. Robinson, C.J. and S.E. Stringer (2001) J.Cell.Sci. 114:853
5. Dai, J. and A.B.Rabie (2007) J.Dent.Res. 86:937
6. Breier, G. (2000) Semin. Thromb. Hemost. 26:553
7. Barleon, B. et al. (1996) Blood 87:3336
8. Weis, S.M and D.A. Cheresh (2005) Nature 437:497
9. Thurston, G (2002) J. Anat. 200:575
10. Carvalho, J.F. et al (2007) J. Clin. Immunol. 27:246