Increased oxidative damage of sperm and seminal plasma in men with idiopathic infertility is higher in patients with glutathione S-transferase Mu-1 null genotype

Aim： To examine whether a relationship exists between glutathione S-transferase Mu-1 （GSTM1） gene polymorphism and the susceptibility of sperm and seminal plasma from patients with idiopathic infertility to oxidative stress. Methods： Fifty-two men with idiopathic infertility and 60 healthy fertile men were recruited to this study. GSTM1 gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and both the infertile and control individuals were divided into GSTM1 null and GSTM1 positive groups according to their GSTM1 gene structure. We compared reactive oxygen species （ROS） generation, malondialdehyde （MDA）, protein carbonyls and glutathione （GSH） concentrations, and glutathione S-transferase （GST） activity in seminal plasma and spermatozoa from infertile patients and controls with respect to GSTM1 genotype. Results： Significantly higher levels of oxidative stress and damage markers were found in idiopathic infertile men with the GSTM1 null genotype compared with those with the GSTM1 positive genotype. There was no significant difference in genotype distribution for theGSTM1 variant between the idiopathic infertile subjects and fertile subjects. Patients with the GSTM1 null genotype also had lower sperm concentrations than those with GSTM1 positive genotype. Conclusion： Our results suggest that the susceptibility of sperm and seminal plasma to oxidative stress is significantly greater in idiopathic infertile men with the GSTM1 null genotype compared with those possessing the gene. Therefore, in patients with idiopathic infertility, GSTM1 polymorphism might be an important source of variation in susceptibility of spermatozoa to oxidative damage.

Genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase T1 gene and susceptibility to idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in northwestern China

Aim： To investigate the association of glutathione S-transferase T1 （GSTT1） gene polymorphism in patients with idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in the northwestern China population. Methods： In the case-control study, GSTT1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction （PCR） with peripheral blood DNA samples from 78 patients with idiopathic azoospermia, 103 patients with idiopathic oligospermia and 156 age-matched controls with normal sperm concentration and motility, according to the criteria adapted from World Health Organization guidelines. All of the patients and controls were from northwestern China. Results： There is a significant association between GSTT1 null genotype with idiopathic azoospermia risk （odds ratio [OR]： 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 1.33-4.20, P = 0.003） or idiopathic oligospermia risk （OR： 2.00, 95% CI： 1.17-3.27, P = 0.010）. Conclusion： GSTT1 null genotype is a predisposing risk factor for sporadic idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in northwestern China. （Asian J Androl 2008 Mar; 10： 266-270）

Association of glutathione S-transferase T1 and M1 gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke risk in the Chinese Han population

Atherosclerosis plays an important role in ischemic stroke, and oxidative stress participates in the entire process of atherosclerosis. Glutathione S-transferase （GST） acting with other antioxidant enzymes can eliminate reactive oxygen species and protect cells against oxidative damage. To assess the association of glutathione S-transferase （GSTT1 and GSTM1） gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke in the Chinese Han population, the present study selected 315 patients with ischemic stroke and 210 healthy controls for comparison. GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reactions, electrophoresis and imaging analysis. No obvious evidence of GSTTI-nulI, GSTMI-null and GSTTI/GSTMI-double null genotype distribution differences was found between case and control groups or between genders. Subgroup analysis showed that the risk of stroke was increased when hypertension was accompanied by GSTTl-null （odds ratio （OR） = 2.996, P 〈 0.001） and GSTMl-null （OR = 3.680, P 〈 0.001 ） genotypes; diabetes mellitus was accompanied by GSTTI-null （OR = 1.860, P = 0.031） and GSTMI-null （OR = 2.444, P = 0.002） genotypes, and smokers showed a GSTTl-null genotype （OR = 2.276, P = 0.003）. GSTT1- and GSTMl-null genotypes may interact synergistically with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking to increase the incidence risk of ischemic stroke.

A systemic review of glutathione S-transferase P1 Ile105Val polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk

Objectives： To investigate the correlation between glutathione S-transferase P1 （GSTP1） Ilel05Val polymorphism and colorectal cancer （CRC） risk. Methods： Studies were identified to investigate the association between GSTP1 Ilel05Val polymorphism and CRC risk. Systematic computerized searches of the PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, WANFANG and SinoMed were performed. Summary odds ratios （OR） and 95% confidence intervals （95 % CI） were used to measure GSTP 1 Ile 105Val polymorphisms and CRC risk. Results： A total of 23 retrospective studies were included in the meta-analysis. During all studies including 6,981 cases and 8,977 controls, sample sizes ranged from 146 to 2,144. Overall, the pooled results revealed that lie 105Val polymorphism was not associated with CRC risk and confused results were found in subgroup analyses. Further meta-analyses were conducted after excluding low-quality studies. GSTP1 Ilel05Val is associated with increased risk of CRC limited in studies with matched control. There was no significant heterogeneity in all genetic comparisons, but heterogeneity existed in subgroup analyses of heterozygous and dominant comparisons. The meta-regression analyses indicated that matched controls were the significant factor influencing between-study heterogeneity in all possible influential factors including published year, ethnicity, source of control, sample size, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium （HWE） in control and matched controls. Sensitivity analysis revealed the pooled ORs were not changed before and after removal of each single study in all genetic comparisons, indicating the robustness of the results. Conclusions： GSTP1 Ilel05Val might be associated with increased risk of CRC. However, more high- quality case-control studies should be performed to confirm the authenticity of our conclusion.

Rethinking de novo immune hepatitis,an old concept for liver allograft rejection:relevance of glutathione S-transferase T1 mismatch

Antibody-mediated rejection(AMR) in liver transplantation has long been underestimated. The concept of the liver as an organ susceptible to AMR has emerged in recent years, not only in the context of the major histocompatibility complex with the presence of HLA donor-specific antibodies, but also with antigens regarded as "minor", whose role in AMR has been demonstrated. Among them, antibodies against glutathione S-transferase T1 have been found in 100% of patients with de novo autoimmune hepatitis(dn AIH) when studied. In its latest update, the Banff Working Group for liver allograft pathology proposed replacing the term dn AIH with plasma cell(PC)-rich rejection. Antibodies to glutathione S-transferase T1(GSTT1) in null recipients of GSTT1 positive donors have been included as a contributory but nonessential feature of the diagnosis of PC-rich rejection. Also in this update, non-organ-specific anti-nuclear or smooth muscle autoantibodies are no longer included as diagnostic criteria. Although initially found in a proportion of patients with PC-rich rejection, the presence of autoantibodies is misleading since they are not diseasespecific and appear in many different contexts as bystanders. The cellular types and proportions of the inflammatory infiltrates in diagnostic biopsies have been studied in detail very recently. PC-rich rejection biopsies present a characteristic cellular profile with a predominance of T lymphocytes and a high proportion of PCs, close to 30%, of which 16.48% are Ig G4+. New data on the relevance of GSTT1-specific T lymphocytes to PC-rich rejection will be discussed in this review.

T-cell allorecognition of donor glutathione S-transferase T1 in plasma cell-rich rejection

AIM To investigate the role of glutathione S-transferase T1 donor-specific T lymphocytes in plasma cell-rich rejection of liver allografts.METHODS The study group included 22 liver transplant patients. Among them, 18 patients were mismatched for the glutathione S-transferase T1(GSTT1) alleles(don+/rec-), and 4 were matched(don+/rec+). Seven of the mismatched patients produced anti-GSTT1 antibodies and developed plasma cell-rich rejection(former de novo immune hepatitis). For the detection of specific Tlymphocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected and stored in liquid nitrogen. The memory T cell response was studied by adding to the cell cultures to a mix of 39 custom-made, 15-mer overlapping peptides, which covered the entire GSTT1 amino acid sequence. The specific cellular response to peptides was analyzed by flow cytometry using the markers CD8, CD4, IL-4 and IFNγ.RESULTS Activation of CD8^+ T cells with different peptides was observed exclusively in the group of patients with plasma-cell rich rejection(3 out of 7), with production of IL-4 and/or IFNγ at a rate of 1%-4.92% depending on the peptides. The CD4^+ response was most common and not exclusive for patients with the disease, where 5 out of 7 showed percentages of activated cells from 1.24% to 31.34%. Additionally, two patients without the disease but with the mismatch had cells that became stimulated with some peptides(1.45%-5.18%). Highly unexpected was the finding of a double positive CD4^+CD8^(low) T cell population that showed the highest degree of activation with some of the peptides in 7 patients with the mismatch, in 4 patients with plasma cell-rich rejection and in 3 patients without the disease. Unfortunately, CD4^+CD8^(low) cells represent 1% of the total number of lymphocytes, and stimulation could not be analyzed in 9 patients due to the low number of gated cells. Cells from the 4 patients included as controls did not show activation with any of the peptides. CONCLUSION Patients with GSTT1 mismatch can develop a specific T-cell response, but the potential role of this response in the pathogenesis of plasma cell-rich rejection is unknown.

Genetic dissection of glutathione S-transferase omega-1:identification of novel downstream targets and Alzheimer's disease pathways

Alzheimer's disease(AD)is affected by genetic factors.Polymorphisms in the glutathione S-transfe rase omega-1(Gsto1)gene have been shown by genetic correlation analyses performed in different ethnic populations to be genetic risk factors for AD.Gene expression profile data from BXD recombinant inbred mice were used in combination with genetic and bioinformatic analyses to chara cterize the mechanisms underlying regulation of Gstol variation regulation and to identify network membe rs that may contribute to AD risk or progression.Allele-specific assays confirmed that variation in Gstol expression is controlled by cis-expression quantitative trait loci.We found that Gstol mRNA levels were related to several central nervous system traits,such as glial acidic fibrillary protein levels in the caudate putamen,co rtical gray matter volume,and hippocampus mossy fiber pathway volume.We identified 2168 genes whose expression was highly correlated with that of Gsto1.Some genes were enriched for the most common neurodegenerative diseases.Some Gsto1-related genes identified in this study had previously been identified as susceptibility genes for AD,such as APP,Grin2 b,Ide,and Psenen.To evaluate the relationships between Gstol and candidate network members,we transfected astrocytes with Gstol siRNA and assessed the effect on putative downstream effecto rs.We confirmed that knockdown of Gstol had a significant influence on Pa2g4 expression,suggesting that Pa2g4 may be a downstream effector of Gstol,and that both genes intera ct with other genes in a network during AD pathogenesis.

Association among Serum Organochlorine Pesticide Residues, Glutathione S-Transferase M1 Genetic Polymorphism and Female Breast Cancer

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association among serum organochlorine pesticide residues, glutathione S-transferase M1 genetic polymorphism and female breast cancer. Methods: A 1:1 matched case-control study of 140 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and 140 non-cancer female patients who consulted the five largest hospitals in the Tangshan city from September 2006 to October 2007. Results: The result showed higher risk of breast cancer among subjects with higher levels of serum DDT and HCH residue, the OR was 3.18 (95%CI, 1.11 - 9.07) and 5.02 (95%CI, 1.64 - 16.56).The value of ORe associated with single environmental factor DDT high residues, and ORg associated with single GSTM1 deletion genotype were respectively 3.86 (1.20 - 12.47) and 1.34 (0.36 - 5.08). The OReg associated with combined action of two factors was 5.59 (1.63 - 18.90), and the value of interaction parameters (γ) equaled 1.24. The value of ORe associated with single environmental factor HCH higher residue and ORg associated with single GSTM1 deletion genotype were respectively 2.73 (0.84 - 8.87) and 1.48 (0.49 - 4.60). The value of OReg associated with combined action of two factors was 3.87 (1.18 - 12.68), and γ equaled 1.38. Conclusion: The results indicated that breast cancer occurrence was the combined result of environmental and genetic factors. The concurrent action of GSTM1 deletion genotype and DDT/HCH enhanced the risk of breast cancer.

Frequency of Null Phenotypes of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 and T1 among the Populations of Tabuk (Northwestern Part of Saudi Arabia)

Background: The variability in the distribution of the null phenotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1, due to total or partial gene deletion resulting in the lack of the active enzyme, has been reported in different populations, especially in ethnically well-defined groups but not in Tabuk. This study investigated the variability in the distribution of the null phenotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in the population of Tabuk (northwestern part of Saudi Arabia). Method: This study was conducted on 200 subjects of Tabuk—northwestern part of Saudi Arabia among which 100 were chronic smokers and 100 were nonsmokers. The subjects were reporting to hospital for routine checkup. All were without past history of any chronic disease and no significant abnormality. GST genotyping was done by multiplex PCR-based methods. The smoker and control groups were compared using a chi-square test with P GSTM1 deletion homozygosity of 14% and 1% was reported among non smokers and smokers, respectively whereas GSTT1 deletion homozygosity of 28% and 6% was reported among non smokers and smokers, respectively. Our results indicate that there are major differences in allelic distribution of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes between the two groups investigated. Combined analysis of both genes revealed that 15% of smokers and non smokers harbor the deleted genotype of GSTM1 and 34% of smokers and non smokers harbor the deleted genotype of GSTT1 with significant differences. Conclusion: This study enables selecting subgroups among the general population who are more susceptible to DNA damage and will help genetic studies on the association of GST polymorphisms with disease risks and drug effects in Arab population. Studies with a larger sample size are needed to evaluate and confirm the validity of our results.

Anticancer Drug Resistance of HeLa Cells Transfected With Rat Glutathione S-transferase pi Gene

To establish a cytologic expressing system of rat glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) cDNA for detecting the resistance of HeLa cells to anticancer drugs. Methods The assessment was made with various anticancer drugs (adriamycin, mitomycin, cisplatinum and vincristine) that showed different cytotoxicities in transfectant HeLa cells with pSV-GT containing rat GST-pi cDNA (HeLa/pSV-GT) or control pSV-neo (HeLa/pSV-neo). Expression levels of GST-pi mRNA in HeLa/pSV-GT and HeLa/pSV-neo were measured by in situ hybridization using Digoxin-labelled cDNA probe. Results HeLa/pSV-GT expressed significantly high degree of GST-pi mRNA, whereas both HeLa/pSV-neo and HeLa cells had very low expression. Cytotoxicities of HeLa/pSV-GT and HeLa/pSV-neo with 4 anticancer drugs were measured by MTT assay. Drug concentrations for yielding 50% inhibition (IC50) in HeLa/pSV-GT by adriamycin, mitomycin and cisplatinum were 70.13 靏/mL, 10.95 靏/mL and 16.52 靏/mL, respectively. In contrast, IC50 in HeLa/pSV-neo was 10.34 靏/mL, 7.48 靏/mL and 13.70 靏/mL, respectively. The cytotoxicities of vincristine on both HeLa/pSV-GT and HeLa/pSV-neo were not significantly different. Conclusions Our findings suggest that HeLa/pSV-GT containing rat GST-pi cDNA is resistant to some anticancer drugs due to overexpression of GST-pi. Also, HeLa/pSV-GT cell line could serve as a useful cytogenetic model for further research.

Association between Polymorphisms of Glutathione S-Transferase and Progression to Cervical Cancer in Women from Burkina Faso and Mali

Although persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus infection is the main risk factor, Glutathione S-Transferase highly polymorphic enzyme involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics, is a good candidate gene. The objective of this study was to compare the polymorphisms of Glutathione S-Transferase M1-null in women with cancerous lesions and without lesions. This study consisted of 322 uterine cervix samples of women from Mali and Burkina Faso with Cervical Intra-epithelial Neoplasia 2 and 3, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma and 100 women with no lesions. Human Papillomavirus genotyping was performed by Real-time multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction. Glutathione S-Transferase gene polymorphisms were determined using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction followed by migration on agarose gel. A statistically significant association with high relative risks of 10.77 for the development of High grade Superficial or Squamous Intra-epithelial Lesion (95% CI = 5.59 - 20.72;p < 0.001), and 13.20 for cancer development (95% CI = 6.79 - 25.63;p < 0.001) was found in women with the null genotype of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 in the study population. In Burkina Faso and Mali, Glutathione S-Transferase M1-null presented relative risks of 9 and 11.05 for high-grade lesions, 15 and 11.40 for cancer. Similarly, significant results had been observed in women with human papillomavirus positive and human papillomavirus negative. The results of the present study support the idea that the deletion of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 plays a crucial role in the progression of high-grade lesions and cervical cancer.

Impact of SNP-SNP interactions of DNA repair gene ERCC5 and metabolic gene GSTP1 on gastric cancer/atrophic gastritis risk in a Chinese population

AIM To investigate the interactions of the DNA repair gene excision repair cross complementing group 5(ERCC5) and the metabolic gene glutathione S-transferase pi 1(GSTP1) and their effects on atrophic gastritis(AG) and gastric cancer(GC) risk.METHODS Seven ERCC5 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)(rs1047768, rs2094258, rs2228959, rs4150291, rs4150383, rs751402, and rs873601) and GSTP1 SNP rs1695 were detected using the Sequenom MassA RRAY platform in 450 GC patients, 634 AG cases, and 621 healthy control subjects in a Chinese population.RESULTS Two pairwise combinations(ERCC5 rs2094258 and rs873601 with GSTP1 rs1695) influenced AG risk(P_(interaction) = 0.008 and 0.043, respectively), and the ERCC5 rs2094258-GSTP1 rs1695 SNP pair demonstrated an antagonistic effect, while ERCC5 rs873601-GSTP1 rs1695 showed a synergistic effect on AG risk OR = 0.51 and 1.79, respectively). No pairwise combinations were observed in relation to GC risk. There were no cumulative effects among the pairwise interactions(ERCC5 rs2094258 and rs873601 with GSTP1 rs1695) on AG susceptibility(P_(trend) > 0.05). When the modification effect of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection was evaluated, the cumulative effect of one of the aforementioned pairwise interactions(ERCC5 rs873601-GSTP1 rs1695) was associated with an increased AG risk in the case of negative H. pylori status(P_(trend)= 0.043).CONCLUSION There is a multifarious interaction between the DNA repair gene ERCC5 SNPs(rs2094258 and rs873601) and the metabolic gene GSTP1 rs1695, which may form the basis for various inter-individual susceptibilities to AG.

Genetic analysison the association between polymorphisms of UGT1A1and GST and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Objective:To investigate whether polymorphisms of uridine diphosphoglucuronate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1(UGT1A1)c.211G>A and glutathione S transferases(GST)gene(GSTT1and GSTM1)are associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Methods:A case-control study was performed.A multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect the GSTT1and GSTM1polymorphisms.Single nucleotide polymorphism of UGT1A1c.211G>A was identified by PCR combined with DNA sequencing.The effects and co-expression of UGT1A1c.211G>A,GSTT1and GSTM1gene polymorphisms on the development of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were estimated.Results:A allele frequency of c.211G>A polymorphism of UGT1A1gene was 0.186in case group and 0.086in control group,respectively.A allele frequency of the polymorphism of UGT1A1gene in the case group was higher than that of the control group(χ2=5.968,P=0.022).The frequencies of GSTT1and GSTM1in the case group were similar to that of the control groups.Logistic regression analysis showed that UGT1A1c.211G>A variant and UGT1A1+GSTM1 mutation affected neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Conclusion:UGT1A1c.211G>A gene polymorphism may be one risk factor involved in the development of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia,and GST gene polymorphism may not be associated with the development of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in our study.The co-expression of UGT1A1c.211G>A and GSTM1polymorphisms may reduce the risk for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia development.

Salvianolic acid B modulates the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes in HepG2 cells

BACKGROUND: Enzymes involved in drug and xenobiotic metabolism have been considered to exist in two groups: phase I and phase II enzymes. Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes (CYPs) are the most important phase I enzymes in the metabolism of xenobiotics. The products of phase I metabolism are then acted upon by phase II enzymes, including glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Herbs that inhibit CYPs such as CYP3A4 or that induce GSTs may have the potential to protect against chemical carcinogenesis since the mutagenic effects of carcinogens are often mediated through an excess of CYP-generated reactive intermediates. This study was designed to investigate the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), a pure compound extracted from Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, a Chinese herb, on cell proliferation and CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 mRNA expression in the presence or absence of rifampicin, a potent inducer of CYPs and GST protein expression in HepG2 cells. METHODS: HepG2 cells were incubated with different concentrations of Sal B. Cell proliferation was determined by SYTOX-Green nucleic acid staining. CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 mRNA expression was assayed by real-time PCR. GST protein expression was analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Low concentrations of Sal B (0-20 μmol/L) had no significant effects on cell proliferation, while higher concentrations (100-250 μmol/L) significantly inhibited proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Ten μmol/L Sal B, but not 1 μmol/L, down-regulated CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 mRNA expression after 24 hours of incubation, whereas both 1 and 10 μmol/L Sal B down-regulated CYP3A4mRNA expression after 96 hours of incubation; moreover, 1 and 10 μmol/L Sal B inhibited CYP3A4 mRNA expression induced by rifampicin. Both 1 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L Sal B increased GST expression. CONCLUSION: Sal B inhibits CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 mRNA expression and induces GST expression in HepG2 cells.

Polymorphisms of GSTM1 and CYP1A1 genes and their genetic susceptibility to prostate cancer in Chinese men

Background Variation in prostate cancer incidence between different racial groups has been well documented, for which genetic polymorphisms are hypothesized to be an explanation. We evaluated the association between polymorphisms in the cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 （CYP1A1） and glutathione S-transferase M1 （GSTM1） genes and genetic susceptibility to prostate cancer in Chinese men.Methods TWO hundred and eight prostate cancer patients and 230 age matched controls were enrolled in this study. All DNA samples from peripheral blood lymphocytes were genotyped for common genetic polymorphisms of the CYP1A1 and GSTM1 genes using the oligonucleotide microarray （DNA chip） technique and the polymorphism results confirmed by sequencing. The different polymorphisms in prostate cancer patients were also analyzed according to age at diagnosis, prostate specific antigen level, cancer stage and grade （Gleason score）.Results The prevalence of the GSTM1 （0/0） genotype was significantly higher in prostate cancer patients （58.2%） than in controls （41.7%, P〈0.05）. Further analysis demonstrated that the prostate cancer patients with a GSTM1 （0/0） genotype were younger than those with the GSTM1 （＋/＋） genotype （P=-0.024）. No significant differences in the frequency distributions of CYP1A1 polymorphisms were observed between prostate cancer patients and controls.Conclusion GSTM1 （0/0）-gene polymorphism may be linked to prostate cancer risk and early age of Onset in Chinese.

Proteome analysis and tissue array for profiling protein markers associated with type B thymoma subclassification

Background The prognostic relevance of World Health Organization （WHO） subtypes within type B thymomas is still controversial. Understanding of the molecular characteristics of the different histologic types of thymomas will provide meaningful information for diagnosis and therapeutic management in type B thymoma. Methods Proteins extracted from twelve type B thymoma tissue specimens （six type B1 and six type B2） were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis （2-DE） coupled with MALDI-TOF-MS. Differentially expressed proteins were then assayed in sixty-nine type B thymoma tissues （including B1, B2 and B3） by tissue array analysis with immunohistochemistry staining. The relationship of their expression with clinicopathological parameters, such as tumor stage or WHO classification, was estimated by Spearman＇s Rank Correlation Test. Results Sixteen differentially expressed proteins between type B1 and B2 thymoma tissues were identified. The differential levels of ezrin and glutathione S-transferase pi （GSTP1） were validated using immunohistochemistry staining. A statistically significant difference was observed in the positive rate of ezrin expression between type B1 thymoma and type B3 thymoma （Z= -2.963, P 〈0.01）. Ezrin showed a tendency to be expressed in higher classification tumors from type B1 to B3. A statistical analysis demonstrated that type B2 and B3 tumors had significantly higher positive expression of GSTP1 than the B1 group （type B2 vs. BI： Z= -2.582, P 〈0.01; type B3 vs. BI： Z= -4.012, P 〈0.001）. The results also showed a strong correlation between GSTP1 and WHO type staging of B1 to B3 tumors （Spearman＇s correlation coefficient： 0.633, P 〈0.001）. Statistical analysis showed that there was close correlation between GSTP1 and ezrin expression with the clinical stage （Spearman＇s correlation coefficients, ezrin： 0.481, P 〈0.05; GSTPI： 0.484, P 〈0.01）. Conclusions Differentially expressed proteins between type B1 and B2 thymoma tissues were analyzed by comparative proteomic analysis. The techniques of proteomic analysis and tissue array provide a potential tool for screening of key molecules in type B thymoma histological sub-classifications. The statistical analysis of ezrin and GSTP1 expression by immunohistochemistry, especially GSTP1, may be a useful approach for type B thymoma classification.