间隙连接蛋白connexin43在膀胱移行细胞癌组织中的表达及其与bcl-2、bax表达的相关性

Expression of connexin43 and its correlation with the expression of bcl-2 and bax protein in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

目的:研究细胞间隙连接蛋白connexin43基因(Cx43)在膀胱移行细胞癌(transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder,BTCC)组织中的表达,及其与凋亡相关基因bcl-2、bax表达的相关性。方法:分别采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫组织化学法检测60例BTCC中Cx43 mRNA和bcl-2、bax蛋白的表达,并与癌旁组织、正常膀胱组织各15例进行对照。结果:60例BTCC组织中Cx43 mRNA的表达率为43.33%,显著低于癌旁组织和正常膀胱组织的表达率73.33%及100%(χ2=17.58,P<0.01)。Cx43的表达与肿瘤的病理分级和淋巴转移均呈显著负相关(χ2=9.33和9.74,P均<0.01),而与患者性别、年龄、临床分期、肿瘤直径和肿瘤生长方式等均无相关性(P均>0.05)。相关性检验表明Cx43与bcl-2蛋白表达呈显著负相关(r=-0.63,P<0.01),而与bax蛋白表达则呈正相关(r=0.52,P<0.01)。结论:Cx43在BTCC组织中的表达下调提示其与膀胱癌的发生发展和侵袭转移密切相关,可作为判断其预后的重要参考指标。Cx43基因可能与凋亡相关基因bcl-2、bax在膀胱移行细胞癌的发生发展中分别起拮抗和协同作用。

Objective ：To study the expression of connexin43 （Cx43） gene and its correlation with the expression of apoptosis related genes bcl-2 and bax in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder （ BTCC ）, and to investigate the role of Cx43 in the BTCC. Methods： Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of Cx43 mRNA and immunocytochemistry technique was used to detect the expression of bcl-2 and bax proteins in 60 cases of BTcc tissue, and compared with that of 15 cases of pericancerous tissue and 15 cases of normal bladder tissue. Results： The positive rate of Cx43 mRNA expression in 60 cases of BTCC tissues was 43.33% which was significantly lower than that in pericancerous tissues （73.33%） and normal tissues （100%） （x^2 = 17.58, P 〈 0.01 ）. The expression of Cx43 had significant negative correlation with the pathological degree and lymph node metastasis of BTCC （x^2 = 9.33 and 9.74, respectively, P 〈 0.01 ）. However, no correlation was found between the expression of Cx43 and the sex, age, clinical staging, and the diameter and the growth pattern of BTCC （ P 〉 0.05 ）. Expression of Cx43 negatively correlated with bcl-2 protein （ r = 0.63, P 〈 0.01 ） and positively correlated with bax protein （ r = 0.52, P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusion： The down-regulated expression of Cx43 gene was closely associated with the development, invasion and metastasis of BTCC. It could be used a prognostic indicator for BTCC. Cx43 gene may have antagonistic effects with bcl-2 gene and synergistic effects with bax gene in the initiation and progression of BTCC.