Expression of VEGF‐D, VEGFR‐2, and VEGFR‐3 in gastric carcinoma cell lines and effect of VEGF‐D on KKLS cells. (a) VEGF‐D, VEGFR‐2, and VEGFR‐3 expression by gastric carcinoma cell lines was examined by RT‐PCR. Gastric cancer tissue (GC) was used for control. (b) Western blot for phosphorylation of Akt. Treatment with VEGF‐C or VEGF‐D induced Ser473 phosphorylation of Akt in KKLS cells. (c) KKLS and TMK‐1 cells were incubated with rhVEGF‐D (2, 20, or 100 ng/mL) for 24 h, and cell proliferation was measured with a cell proliferation ELISA system. *P < 0.05; bars, SE.