Ovarian carcinoma cells and IL-1β-activated human peritoneal mesothelial cells are possible sources of vascular endothelial growth factor in inflammatory and malignant peritoneal effusions

We identified ovarian cancer cells and/or IL-1β-activated peritoneal mesothelial cells as important sources of ascitic VEGF. The present data indicate that IL-1β-triggered VEGF production by neoplastic and normal cells is a common pathomechanism for ascites formation in both inflammatory and malignant conditions.