[Significance of expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) in chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
Epidermal growth factor(EGF) and its receptor(EGFR) play an important role in tumorigenesis. Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis were closely related to gallbladder carcinoma. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between the expression of EGF and EGFR in chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder carcinoma.


METHODS
SABC immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of EGF, EGFR, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in surgically resected specimens of 41 gallbladder carcinomas, 26 simple hyperplasia tissues, 14 dysplasia tissues,and 10 normal gallbladder tissues.


RESULTS
The positive expression rates of EGF and EGFR were higher in gallbladder carcinomas(63.4%,70.7%) and dysplasia tissues (71.4%,85.7%) than in simple hyperplasia tissues (15.4%,27%) and normal gallbladder tissues (0%,0%)(P< 0.01); PCNA counting score tended to increase with the severity of mucosa change degree(P< 0.01), which were 1.0 in normal tissues, 1.0 in simple hyperplasia tissues, 1.9288+/-0.9972 in dysplasia tissues,and 3.0488+/-0.669 in gallbladder carcinomas. Significantly positive correlation were shown between EGF,EGFR, and PCNA(P< 0.05). There was no correlation between EGF, EFGR, and PCNA expression and tumor TNM stage(P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of EGF and EGFR is involved in the gallbladder carcinogenesis, and is related to high activity of cell proliferation.
Zhou
Yan-Ming
YM
Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou Medical College, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, P.R. China. zym766@hotmail.com
Li
Yu-Min
YM
Cao
Nong
N
Feng
Ying
Y
Zeng
Feng
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors