[Fas and Fas-L expression in human adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix].
OBJECTIVE
To study the significance of Fas and Fas-L expression in adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix.


METHODS
Both carcinoma tissue and their surrounding tissues from 36 patients with adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix, previously untreated either by radiation or chemotherapy, were studied for the expression of Fas and Fas-L by immunohistochemical stain with DNA apoptosis fragment detected by TUNEL.


RESULTS
The TUNEL labeling index was negatively correlated with differentiation of adenocarcinoma of cervix. Compared to highly differentiated and moderately differentiated tumor, the TUNEL labeling index was reduced obviously in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (P < 0.01). Fas expression was detected in 31 cases (86%) while there were only 3 weakly stained in the normal endocervical glands around the carcinoma. The 5 unstained carcinomas were 3 highly differentiated and 2 moderately differentiated. The positively stained Fas was associated with differentiation; the stronger the stain, the less differentiation there was. The Fas-L expression was detected in all adenocarcinomas while there was only 1 weakly stained in the normal ones. No significant difference was found in the expression of Fas-L in carcinomas with different degrees of differentiation. No correlation was observed between Fas and Fas-L expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The Fas expression is positively correlated with the different degrees of differentiation and Fas-L expression may be associated with the escape from of immunal surveillance.
Chen
Bingjin
B
Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Shi
Yifu
Y
Ge
Yajuan
Y
Zhou
Caiyun
C
Chen
Xiaoduan
X
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019014:fas Receptor