[Expression of integrin-alpha 3 mRNA in meningiomas and its biological significance].
OBJECTIVE
It was reported that reported that changes of the expression of integrins played critical roles in differentiation, proliferation, and invasion of lung carcinoma, melanoma, and glioma. However, no data was available on the expression of integrins in meningiomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of integrin-alpha 3 in meningiomas and its biological significance.


METHODS
Integrin-alpha 3 subunit was detected using in situ hybridization in meningiomas(36 cases), normal dura(2 cases), and arachnoid tissue(3 cases). SABC immunohistochemical assay was used to determine the expressions of Ki-67 nuclear antigen.


RESULTS
Expressions of integrin-alpha 3 mRNA in benign, atypical, and malignant meningiomas were 2.52 +/- 0.362, 1.75 +/- 0.316, and 1.42 +/- 0.633, respectively. The expression levels of integrin-alpha 3 mRNA were significantly lower in the atypical and malignant meningiomas than in the benign meningiomas(P < 0.05, < 0.01). The integrin-alpha 3 mRNA expression in those with invasive biological behavior was lower than that in those without invasion(1.63 +/- 0.462 vs 2.61 +/- 0.526, P < 0.01). Moreover, the expression of integrin-alpha 3 mRNA was inversely associated with Ki-67 labeling index.


CONCLUSIONS
Integrin-alpha 3 sub-unit participates the process of regulating growth of meningiomas. The proliferational activity and malignant grade of meningiomas correlates to decreased expression of integrin-alpha 3 subunit, and the down-regulation of integrin-alpha 3 mRNA is associated with the invasive biological behavior in meningiomas.
Chen
Jian
J
Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P. R. China. chenjiantj@etang.com
Xu
Xian-ping
XP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D039422:Integrin alpha3 / Q000235:genetics*; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008579:Meningioma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger
D039422:Integrin alpha3; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D012333:RNA, Messenger