Cx43介导GJIC与mTOR在胃癌组织中表达及意义

Expression and Significance of Cx43-Mediated GJIC and mTOR in Gastric Cancer

目的:探讨连接蛋白43(Cx43)介导的细胞间隙连接(GJIC)与哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)在胃癌组织中的表达情况及意义。方法:利用免疫组化和qRT-PCR技术联合检测60例胃癌组织及正常胃黏膜组织中Cx43及mTOR的表达情况及其与临床病理参数的关系。结果:在胃癌组织中Cx43 mRNA及蛋白的表达均低于正常胃黏膜组织;而mTOR mRNA及蛋白的表达均高于正常胃黏膜组织(均P<0.01)。Cx43 mRNA及蛋白的表达与胃癌分化程度、TNM分期、浸润深度及淋巴转移均有关(均P<0.05);而mTORmRNA及蛋白的表达与胃癌分化程度、TNM分期及浸润深度有关(均P<0.05),mTOR蛋白表达与淋巴转移无关(P=0.10),mTOR mRNA表达与淋巴转移相关(P<0.05)。相关性分析显示:胃癌组织中Cx43与mTOR蛋白表达呈负相关(r=-0.656,P<0.01);Cx43与mTOR mRNA表达亦呈负相关(r=-0.528,P<0.01)。结论:Cx43与mTOR参与了胃癌的发生、发展,与胃癌的侵袭及转移有关,且在胃癌的演进过程中Cx43介导的GJIC表达下降可能刺激mTOR表达增高,Cx43可能成为潜在治疗胃癌的靶点。

Objective:To discuss the expressions and significance of gap junction intercellular communication(GJIC)mediated by connexin43(Cx43)and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)in gastric cancer tissues.Methods:The expressions of Cx43 and mTOR in gastric tumor lesions and normal gastric mucosal tissues of 60 patients with gastric cancer were detected by immunohistochemical(SP)and qRT-PCR,and their relationships with clinicopathological parameters was analyzed.Results:The expressions of Cx43 mRNA and protein in gastric tumor were lower than those in normal gastric mucosa.However,the expressions of mTOR mRNA and protein were higher than those of normal gastric mucosa(All P<0.01).Regardless of mRNA expression level or protein expression level,Cx43 was associated with the differentiation degree,TNM stage,invasion depth and lymphatic metastasis of gastric cancer(all P<0.05).However,mTOR mRNA and protein were correlated with the differentiation degree,TNM stage and invasion depth of gastric cancer(all P<0.05).There was no significant difference between protein expression level and lymphatic metastasis(P=0.10),but mRNA expression level was correlated with lymphatic metastasis(P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the expression of Cx43 protein was negatively correlated with the expression of mTOR protein in gastric cancer patients(r=-0.656,P<0.01),and the expression of Cx43 mRNA was negatively correlated with the expression of mTOR mRNA(r=-0.528,P<0.01).Conclusion:Cx43 and mTOR are involved in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer,related to the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer,and in the evolution of gastric cancer,the decreased expression of Cx43-mediated GJIC may stimulate the increased expression of mTOR,and Cx43 may be a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer.