[Expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase in premalignant esophageal squamous dysplasia].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) and malignant transformation of esophageal dysplasia.


METHODS
Telomerase activity and hTRT expression in esophageal dysplasia (n = 47), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 29) and normal esophagus (n = 11) were detected by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) and in situ hybridization, respectively.


RESULTS
Telomerase activity was detected in none of the 11 cases of normal esophageal tissues (0%) but in 21 of 47 cases (44.7%) of dysplasia, and in 25 of 29 cases (86.2%) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There were statistically significant differences among the telomerase activity in normal esophagus, esophageal dysplasia, and in squamous cell carcinoma (chi(2) = 5.89, P < 0.05; chi(2) = 11.35, P < 0.01). hTRT mRNA was expressed in none of the 11 cases of normal esophageal tissues (0%) but in 23 of 47 cases (48.9%) of dysplasia, and in 24 of 29 cases (82.8%) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There were statistically significant differences among the expression of hTRT mRNA in normal esophagus, esophageal dysplasia, and in squamous cell carcinoma (chi(2) = 6.99, P < 0.01; chi(2) = 7.32, P < 0.01). Significant correlation was found between the telomerase activity and the expression of hTRT mRNA (chi(2) = 57.91, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The mRNA expression of hTRT which paralleled to telomerase activity implied that there was a crucial role to play in regulating the activation of telomerase, and was closely related to the malignant transformation of esophageal dysplasia. hTRT might serve as a new, valuable biomarker to detect esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Yu
Hong-Ping
HP
Institute of Environmentanl Medicine, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong Science and Technology University, Wuhan 430030, China.
Xu
Shun-Qing
SQ
Liu
Li
L
Shi
Lu-Yuan
LY
Lu
Wen-Hong
WH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019098:Telomerase