title: Differential expression of TRAIL-R3 and TRAIL-R4 in human pancreatic cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, in part due to its insensitivity to most treatment modalities. This resistance towards cytotoxic therapy is thought to be caused--at least in part--by a general resistance of pancreatic cancer cells towards apoptosis. TRAIL-R3 and TRAIL-R4, which belong to the TRAIL receptor family, can inhibit TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven normal pancreatic tissues and 7 pancreatic cancer tissues were analyzed using Northern blotting, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TRAIL-R3 mRNA and protein expression were generally weak in pancreatic cancers and normal pancreatic tissues. In contrast, TRAIL-R4 mRNA and protein were expressed at moderate to high levels in human pancreatic cancer tissues, but demonstrated weak to negative expression in the normal pancreas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TRAIL-R4 but not TRAIL-R3 levels were significantly different in pancreatic cancer in comparison to the normal pancreas. These findings give new insight into the resistance mechanisms of pancreatic cancer towards TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Inselspital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friess
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kleeff
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Büchler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D053320:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 10c; D053319:Tumor Necrosis Factor Decoy Receptors
chemical_list: D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D053320:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 10c; C105190:TNFRSF10A protein, human; C108661:TNFRSF10C protein, human; D053319:Tumor Necrosis Factor Decoy Receptors