title: [Study on the expression of connexin 43 in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the relationship of the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The cell shape and the expression of Cx43 in 18 cases of NPC and 10 cases of chronic inflammation disease of nasopharyngeal epitheliems (CIDNE) were observed under the laser scanning confocal microscopy and technology of fluorescence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The scanning images displayed that the fluorescence signal of Cx43 in cell membrane of NPC was significantly lower than in CIDNE (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of Cx43 plays an important role in the development of NPC. The reduced or loss of gap junctional intercellular communication may be one of the important factors in the development of a normal nasopharyngeal epithelium cell into a neoplastic one.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041.
authors.forename: Zhizhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Juelong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Manhong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qingchun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43