Hsp27 expression in neuroblastoma: correlation with disease stage.
BACKGROUND
The 27-kd heat shock protein (Hsp27) is differentially expressed in some malignancies, including breast carcinoma, leukemia, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. In breast carcinoma, a high-level expression of Hsp27 has been associated with shorter disease-free survival in patients with localized disease.


OBJECTIVE
We have observed variable levels of Hsp27 among neuroblastoma tumors. Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationship between Hsp27 expression and stage of the disease and N-myc gene copy number.


METHODS
We determined Hsp27 protein levels in 53 neuroblastoma tumors representing different stages of the disease and in 17 neuroblastoma cell lines by quantitative two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). We also performed statistical analysis of Hsp27 levels in relation to stage of the disease and to N-myc gene copy number.


RESULTS
Increased Hsp27 expression in neuroblastomas was associated with limited stage disease and inversely correlated with N-myc gene amplification, a feature known to predict poor clinical outcome. An inverse correlation was also observed between N-myc gene amplification and Hsp27 protein levels among the neuroblastoma cell lines analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining of sections of neuroblastomas showed that Hsp27 was most prominently expressed in the cytoplasm of large ganglionic tumor cells present in neuronally differentiated areas of the tumors. Induction of neuronal differentiation in SMS-KCNR neuroblastoma cells using retinoic acid resulted in an increase in Hsp27.


CONCLUSIONS
High level expression of Hsp27 in neuroblastoma is a feature of limited stage, differentiated tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Hsp27 may play a part in the biology of neuroblastomas with a favorable outcome.
Ungar
D R
DR
Department of Pediatric Hematology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor.
Hailat
N
N
Strahler
J R
JR
Kuick
R D
RD
Brodeur
G M
GM
Seeger
R C
RC
Reynolds
C P
CP
Hanash
S M
SM
D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000379:methods; D015870:Gene Expression; D016259:Genes, myc; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins