Tumor suppressor gene p16 and Rb expression in gastric cardia precancerous lesions from subjects at a high incidence area in northern China.
OBJECTIVE
To further understand the molecular basis for gastric cardia carcinogenesis and to provide etiological clues.


METHODS
Endoscopic mucosa biopsy and histopathological examinations were made on 37 subjects from a high incidence area for both esophageal and gastric cardia carcinomas in northern China. All the biopsy samples were fixed in 850 ml. (-1)L alcohol and embedded in paraffin. Each block contained one piece of tissue and was serially section at 5 microm. Immunohistochemistry (ABC) was carried out on these gastric cardia samples to determine the alterations of p16 and Rb.


RESULTS
Based on the histopathlogical examination there were 11 cases of chronic superficial gastritis, 12 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis and 14 cases of dysplasia. The immunostaining demonstrated different levels of unclear immunostaining of p16 and Rb in normal gastric cardia tissue and the tissues with different severity of lesions. With the lesions progressing, the positive immunostaining rates for p16 protein had a decreasing tendency. In contrast, the positive immunostaining rate for Rb protein had an increasing tendency. There was a significant negative relationship between the two parameters. Changes of p16 was CSG 11(100%), CAG 7(58%), DYS 4(29%) and changes of Rb was CSG 2(18%), CAG 8(67%) and DYS 12(86%), (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The alterations of p16 and Rb protein may play a role in the early stages of gastric cardia carcinogenesis.
Zhou
Yun
Y
Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province China.
Gao
Shan-Shan
SS
Li
Yong-Xin
YX
Fan
Zong-Min
ZM
Zhao
Xin
X
Qi
Yi-Jun
YJ
Wei
Jun-Ping
JP
Zou
Jian-Xiang
JX
Liu
Gang
G
Jiao
Li-Huo
LH
Bai
Yong-Min
YM
Wang
Li-Dong
LD
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D016161:Genes, Retinoblastoma; D019942:Genes, p16; D006801:Humans; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*