[The expression and significance of human telomerase reverse transcriptase protein and gene in bile duct carcinomas and their adjacent tissues].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein and mRNA in bile duct carcinomas and the adjacent tissues and to elucidate its role in bile duct carcinogenesis.


METHODS
The expression of hTERT protein and hTERT mRNA in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of 71 cases of bile duct cancers and 39 cases of adjacent tissues was detected by streptavidin-peroxidase immunostaining and in situ hybridization. The correlation was analysed statistically between the expression of hTERT protein and mRNA and clinicopathological parameters bile duct carcinomas.


RESULTS
The positive rate of hTERT protein expression and mRNA expression in malignant specimens was 78.9% (56/71) and 67.6% (48/71), while that in the adjacent tissues was 35.9% (14/39) and 23.1% (9/39), respectively. All the positive signals were found in the hyperplastic biliary epithelia. No significant correlation was established between hTERT expression and clinicopathological parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
hTERT gene transcription and protein expression is most likely involved in the proliferation and malignant transformation of bile epithelia and the malignant progression of bile duct carcinomas. The detection of hTERT expression may serve elucidating the carcinogenesis of bile duct.
Qu
Zhen-liang
ZL
Department of Surgery, The 254th Military Hospital, Tianjin 300142, China. zlqu2002@hotmail.com
Zou
Sheng-quan
SQ
Sun
Zhi-cai
ZC
Wei
Guo-hong
GH
Wu
Xian-zhong
XZ
Zhen
Shan-lin
SL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D019098:Telomerase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019098:Telomerase