Quantitative RT-PCR assay for MUC3 and VEGF mRNA in renal clear cell carcinoma: relationship with nuclear grade and prognosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate, by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, the expression of MUC3 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to correlate them with histologic parameters and with prognosis. Human mucins are large O-glycoproteins expressed in epithelial tissues. Deregulation of mucin genes has been demonstrated in several epithelial neoplasms. In the kidney, MUC3 is expressed in normal convoluted tubules and in renal clear cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Twenty-six renal clear cell carcinoma specimens were studied. For all tumors, samples of normal and tumor kidney were frozen. After RNA extraction, using ultracentrifugation through a cesium chloride cushion, VEGF and MUC3 mRNA were analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The pathologic parameters included Fuhrman nuclear grade and TNM stage. All follow-up data were available.


RESULTS
The median level of MUC3 and VEGF expression was greater in tumor areas compared with normal areas (P < 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). The MUC3 tumor/normal tissue expression ratio was greater in nuclear grade 3 tumor than in low grades (grade 1-2; P < 0.005). No statistically significant relationship was found with the prognosis for MUC3 and VEGF in our study.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study demonstrate that MUC3 and VEGF are overexpressed in renal clear cell carcinoma, and the MUC3 expression ratio is greater in nuclear grade 3 than in grades 1 and 2 (low grades) tumor. These findings suggest the implication of MUC3 in renal carcinogenesis.
Leroy
Xavier
X
Unity INSERM U560, Lille, France.
Gouyer
Valerie
V
Ballereau
Charles
C
Zerimech
Farid
F
Huet
Guillemette
G
Copin
Marie-Christine
MC
Aubert
Jean-Pierre
JP
Porchet
Nicole
N
D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D003199:Computer Systems; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015993:Life Tables; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055263:Mucin-3; D009077:Mucins / Q000235:genetics*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D055263:Mucin-3; D009077:Mucins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors