STAT3 activation in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
BACKGROUND
The activation of signal transducer and activator of transduction (STAT) protein is thought to lead to the genesis of neoplasia by promoting cellular growth and preventing apoptosis, and by immune system modulation; STAT3 protein has also been implicated in tumor survival and propagation in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence and activation of STAT3 protein in papilloma specimens from subjects with RRP and compare findings with those obtained from control subjects' tissue.


METHODS
Laryngeal papilloma samples were collected from 8 nonselected consecutive patients undergoing surgery for RRP, and control samples of anterior tonsillar pillar mucosa were collected from 8 patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. After extraction, we applied gel shifting to the nuclear protein using an electromotility shifting assay kit. Quantitative analysis of the gel shifts was performed, and levels of activated STAT3 protein in RRP specimens and tissue from controls were compared.


RESULTS
There was STAT3 protein activation in the nuclear extracts of all (100%) RRP specimens, which was significantly more frequent than in normal epithelial tissue from controls (P<.03).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that STAT3 protein activation is present in RRP. However, further study is needed to determine if STAT3 protein activation is an important pathway through which human papillomavirus results in the propagation and persistence of RRP.
Patel
Nalin J
NJ
Division of Laryngology, Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA. napatel@mcw.edu
Hansen
Anne
A
Merati
Albert L
AL
Kerschner
Joseph E
JE
D015153:Blotting, Western; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism*; D010212:Papilloma / Q000378:metabolism*; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators