Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (RANK) is expressed as a late event during malignant progression in Barrett's metaplasia.
Receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) activation induces several survival signals including nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activation and upregulation of Bcl-xL. The aim of this work was to determine whether RANK is expressed in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) and its precursor, Barrett's metaplasia (BM). Sections of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue from 23 oesophagectomy specimens showing EA and variable degrees of dysplasia in BM were immunohistochemically stained for RANK. All 23 carcinomas (100%) showed strong RANK immunoreactivity in most cancer cells. In 8 cases with high-grade dysplasia (HGD), RANK immunoreactivity was weaker and detected in a smaller percentage of cells. RANK was not detected in any area of BM that was negative for dysplasia (ND) (17 cases), or showed low-grade dysplasia (LGD) (9 cases). These results indicate that RANK is expressed as a late event during malignant progression in BM. Studies are needed to determine whether interfering with RANK signalling affects the survival of EA cells.
Yorke
R
R
Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Younes
A
A
Chirala
M
M
Younes
M
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
D006023:Glycoproteins; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C506030:TNFRSF11B protein, human