Nitric oxide synthase type 1 expression in human lung cancer and its relation to p53.
BACKGROUND
The nitric oxide synthases (NOS) have been observed in human tumour cell lines as well as in solid tumours. Neuronal isoform of NOS (NOS1) was particularly abundant in low-differentiated gynaecological, breast and central nerve system tumours, suggesting that it may characterize poorly differentiated tumours. So far, little is known about expression of the neuronal NOS isoform in non-small cell lung cancer. Our aim was to compare NOS1 expression in non-small lung carcinomas with respect to tumor staging and p53 protein expression.


METHODS
Thirty-two cases of non-small lung carcinomas of all grades of malignancy and ten control lung specimens with neoplastic lesions were examined. Paraffin-embedded tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, or with antibodies to NOS1 and p53, and evaluated under light microscope.


RESULTS
No statistical correlation between expression of p53, NOS1 and degree od tumour differentiation was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of NOS1 can not serve as a marker for highly malignant tumours in the non-small cell lung carcinomas.
Lewko
B
B
Department of Immunopathology, Medical University of Gdańsk, ul. Debinki 7, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland. blew@amedec.amg.gda.pl
Zółtowska
A
A
Stepiński
J
J
Kamiński
M
M
Skokowski
J
J
Roszkiewicz
A
A
Moszkowska
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase