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Expression and significance of urokinase type plasminogen activator gene in human brain gliomas
Author(s) -
Zhang Xiang,
Fei Zhou,
Bu Xingyao,
Zhen Haining,
Zhang Zhiwen,
Gu Jianwen,
Chen Yijun
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/1096-9098(200006)74:2<90::aid-jso2>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - plasminogen activator , urokinase , immunohistochemistry , urokinase receptor , glioma , pathology , human brain , anaplastic astrocytoma , cancer research , northern blot , medicine , tumor progression , in situ hybridization , gene expression , tissue plasminogen activator , biology , gene , astrocytoma , cancer , biochemistry , psychiatry
Background and Objectives Urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) regulates a variety of processes involved in tissue morphogenesis, cell differentiation, migration and invasion. We analyzed the available informations to better interpret the pathogenetic relationship between uPA activity and the malignant biological behavior of human brain gliomas. Methods We retrospectively studied the presence and distribution of uPA in human brain gliomas by Northern blot hybridization and immunohistochemical methods in 43 cases of brain gliomas and 5 cases of normal brain tissues. Results All tissues expressed 2.5 kb transcripts of uPA mRNA. The uPA mRNA levels were significantly higher in high‐grade gliomas than in low‐grade gliomas and normal brain tissues ( P < 0.01). Levels of uPA mRNA expression in tumor tissues with recurrence in 18 months postoperatively and survival period less than 3 years were significantly higher than counterparts ( P < 0.01). The distribution of uPA protein in the immunoreactivity was mainly in tumor cells and microvascular endothelial cells of glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas, localizing at cytoplasms, especially near sites of vascular proliferation and at the leading edges of tumors. Conclusions High expression of uPA gene is associated with the malignant progression of gliomas and demonstrates a high level of correlation with the recurrence and invasive behaviors of high grade gliomas. J. Surg. Oncol. 2000;74:90–94. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.