[Detection of the expression of Smad4, transforming growth factor beta(1) and beta receptor II proteins in paraffin-embedded human pancreatic cancer tissues].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationships between Smad4, TGF beta1 and TbetaR II in the TGF-beta pathway and the possible mechanisms by which they effect pancreatic carcinoma.


METHODS
The expression of Smad4, TGF beta1 and TbetaR II in paraffin embedded pancreatic carcinoma tissues was detected by using antibodies against Smad4, TGF beta1 and TbetaR II with EnVision immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The positive rates of Smad4, TGF beta1 and TbetaR II were 58.93% (33), 66.07% (37) and 60.71% (34), respectively. The positive rates of the above three proteins in matched normal pancreatic tissues were 89.29% (50), 25.00% (14) and 25.00% (14) respectively. There was a significant relationship between the expression of TGF beta1, clinical stage and the metastasis of the tumor (P < 0.05). There was also a significant relationship between the expressions of TGF beta1 and TbetaR II (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of Smad4 in pancreatic carcinoma tissue is significantly decreased but the expression of TGF beta1 and TbetaR II are increased. Smad4 may play an important role in the regulation of TGFbeta inducible gene expression and subsequent growth inhibition, but TGFbeta may also act in a Smad4-independent manner.
Gu
L
L
Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
Chen
J
J
Liu
T
T
Li
L
L
Lu
Z
Z
Luo
Y
Y
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051901:Smad4 Protein; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; C497796:SMAD4 protein, human; D051901:Smad4 Protein; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II