@article{Banks.1998b,
  abstract = {Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor with a key role in several pathological processes, including tumour vascularization. Our preliminary observations indicated higher VEGF concentrations in serum samples than in matched plasma samples. We have now demonstrated that this difference is due to the presence of VEGF within platelets and its release upon their activation during coagulation. In eight healthy volunteers, serum VEGF concentrations ranged from 76 to 854 pg ml(-1) and were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the matched citrated plasma VEGF concentrations, which ranged from < 9 to 42 pg ml(-1). Using platelet-rich plasma, mean (s.d.) platelet VEGF contents of 0.56 (0.36) pg of VEGF 10(-6) platelets were found. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated the cytoplasmic presence of VEGF within megakaryocytes and other cell types within the bone marrow. From examination of the effects of blood sample processing on circulating VEGF concentrations, it is app},
  added-at = {2010-02-05T11:28:39.000+0100},
  author = {Banks, R. E. and Forbes, M. A. and Kinsey, S. E. and Stanley, A. and Ingham, E. and Walters, C. and Selby, P. J.},
  biburl = {http://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2a7d6cab082a8228a14e7c5ba0c50d80c/kanefendt},
  interhash = {cac1bcdcf6929e79fbd6e62a04ddd2c8},
  intrahash = {a7d6cab082a8228a14e7c5ba0c50d80c},
  journal = {Br.J Cancer},
  keywords = {A Acid Adult Aged Assay Biological Blood Bone Cells Citrates Collection Edetic Endothelial Enzyme-Linked Factor Factors Female Growth Healing Heparin Humans Immunohistochemistry Immunosorbent Indicators Lymphokines Male Markers Marrow Megakaryocytes Middle Platelets Reagents Reference Research Sensitivity Specificity Specimen Values Vascular Wound and biosynthesis blood cells cytology methods physiology},
  number = 6,
  pages = {956-964},
  timestamp = {2010-02-05T11:28:39.000+0100},
  title = {Release of the angiogenic cytokine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from platelets: significance for VEGF measurements and cancer biology},
  url = {PM:9528841},
  volume = 77,
  year = 1998
}

@article{Hormbrey.2002,
  abstract = {Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic growth factor with a key role in many physiological and pathological processes. Investigation into the implications of circulating levels of this cytokine is progressing at an exponential rate. However, there are important inconsistencies between reports ranging from method of sample collection, processing, software manipulation and data interpretation and controversy as to whether plasma, serum or whole blood will provide the best prognostic information. Different techniques of centrifugation and temperature on sample handling and the impact of in vitro collection of blood on subsequent VEGF results have not been fully appreciated. We provide a critical review of the literature, report the results of our further investigations, suggest a uniform protocol for handling blood samples and highlight previously unsuspected problems in data interpretation},
  added-at = {2010-02-05T11:28:39.000+0100},
  author = {Hormbrey, E. and Gillespie, P. and Turner, K. and Han, C. and Roberts, A. and McGrouther, D. and Harris, A. L.},
  biburl = {http://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2ec867c758e70fc2843fe4443e72519d1/kanefendt},
  interhash = {162fafa1f141b376a0b67cf149ce5e98},
  intrahash = {ec867c758e70fc2843fe4443e72519d1},
  journal = {Clin.Exp.Metastasis},
  keywords = {A Blood Collection Count Endothelial Factor Factors Growth Hematocrit Humans Intercellular Lymphokines Neovascularization Pathologic Peptides Physiologic Plasma Platelet Prognosis Proteins Research Signaling Specimen Temperature Vascular analysis and blood methods protein},
  number = 8,
  pages = {651-663},
  timestamp = {2010-02-05T11:28:39.000+0100},
  title = {A critical review of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) analysis in peripheral blood: is the current literature meaningful?},
  url = {PM:12553370},
  volume = 19,
  year = 2002
}