Sonic hedgehog-Gli1 pathway in colorectal adenocarcinomas

AIM: To determine the role of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway in colorectal adenocarcinomas through analysis of the expression of Shh pathway-related molecules, Shh, Ptch1, hedgehog-interacting protein (Hip), Gli1, Gli3 and PDGFRα. METHODS: Expression of Shh in 25 colorectal adeno- carcinomas was detected by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Expression of Ptch1 was observed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Expression of Hip, Gli1, Gli3 and PDGFRα was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Expression of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 was observed in the cytoplasm of colorectal crypts. Members of the Hh signaling pathway were expressed in colorectal epithelium. Shh was expressed in cytoplasm of dysplastic epithelial cells, while expression of Ptch1, Hip and Gli1 were mainly detected in the malignant crypts of adenocarcinomas. In contrast, PDGFRα was expressed highly in aberrant crypts and moderately in the stroma. Expression of Gli3 could not be detected in colorectal adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that Shh-Ptch1-Gli1 signaling pathway may play a role in the progression of colorectal tumor.

AIM： To determine the role of Sonic hedgehog （Shh） pathway in colorectal adenocarcinomas through analysis of the expression of Shh pathway-related molecules, Shh, Ptchl, hedgehog-interacting protein （Hip）, Gil1, Gli3 and PDGFRα. METHODS： Expression of Shh in 25 colorectal adenocarcinomas was detected by RT-PCR,in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Expression of Ptchl was observed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Expression of Hip, Gil1, Gli3 and PDGFRα was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS： Expression of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 was observed in the cytoplasm of colorectal crypts. Members of the Hh signaling pathway were expressed in colorectal epithelium. Shh was expressed in cytoplasm of dysplastic epithelial cells, while expression of Ptchl, Hip and Gill were mainly detected in the malignant crypts of adenocarcinomas. In contrast, PDGFRα was expressed highly in aberrant crypts and moderately in the stroma. Expression of Gli3 could not be detected in colorectal adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSION： These data suggest that Shh-Ptchl-Gli1 signaling pathway may play a role in the progression of colorectal tumor.