Expression of the bcl-2 oncoprotein in meningiomas.
The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of the bcl-2 oncoprotein in meningiomas and to compare it with the phenotype, the Ki-67 proliferative index and the sex hormone receptor status of the tumors. The expression of the bcl-2 oncoprotein was studied by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. A quantitative study of the Ki-67 proliferative index and the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors was performed. Western blot detected the bcl-2 oncoprotein in nearly all meningiomas. Immunohistochemistry detected the oncogene in only 43.5% of the cases. Expression of bcl-2 was essentially by spindle cells of transitional and fibrous meningiomas expressing neural cell adhesion molecule. There was neither correlation between the expression of bcl-2 and Ki-67 proliferative index of meningiomas nor statistical concordance between the expression of bcl-2 oncoprotein by meningiomas and their sex hormone receptor protein status. Inhibition of apoptosis could be involved in the growth of meningiomas with a mesenchymal differentiation.
Mosnier
J F
JF
Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital de Bellevue, Saint-Etienne, France.
Perret
A G
AG
Brunon
J
J
Boucheron
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen