Expression of caspases-3, -6 and -8 and their relation to apoptosis in non-small cell lung carcinoma.
We analyzed a set of 103 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) for caspase-3, -6 and -8 expression and apoptosis. Additionally, the expression of bcl-2, bax and p53 were studied. Caspase-3 positivity appeared as diffuse, cytoplasmic staining and was restricted to the tumor area. In contrast, the immunoreactivity for caspase-6 was intense, granular and mostly located in single cells or groups of tumor cells showing apoptotic morphology. The caspase-8 expression pattern was a combination of the two other caspases studied, featuring both diffuse and single-cell patterns restricted to the tumor area. No significant differences were seen in caspase -3, -6 and -8 expression between tumors of different histological types or grades. The number of apoptotic cells and bodies was significantly higher in NSCLCs, in which caspase-8 immunostaining was mainly seen in single cells (p = 0.017), whereas caspase -3 and -6 expression had no association with apoptosis. It is apparent that, in lung tissue, up-regulation of caspase expression is a phenomenon associated solely with neoplasia and reflects the readiness of the tumor cells to undergo apoptosis. Interestingly, caspases -3, -6 and -8 each have an individual staining pattern in NSCLC, perhaps reflecting their different position in the caspase hierarchy.
Törmänen-Näpänkangas
U
U
Department of Pathology, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, FIN-90014 Oulu, Finland.
Soini
Y
Y
Kahlos
K
K
Kinnula
V
V
Pääkkö
P
P
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D053148:Caspase 3; D053178:Caspase 6; D053181:Caspase 8; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
C494826:BAX protein, human; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; C505514:CASP6 protein, human; C505530:CASP8 protein, human; C506433:CASP9 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D053178:Caspase 6; D053181:Caspase 8; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases