title: Expression of HIF-1alpha and iNOS in astrocytic gliomas: a clinicopathological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypoxia-inducible-factor-1 (HIF-1) is present at high levels in human tumors and plays a crucial role in tumor promotion by up-regulating several target genes. HIF-1 stimulates the production of NO through the induction of inducible NO synthase (iNOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three human astrocytic gliomas were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for HIF-1alpha and iNOS using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material. In 39 cases, the results of immunohistochemistry were correlated with the clinical outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HIF-1alpha was detected only in astrocytic gliomas grades III and IV, both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. The iNOS expression was increased in astrocytic gliomas grades I, II and III and was statistically significantly decreased in astrocytic gliomas grade IV. iNOS was localized round the capillary vessels as well. Statistical analysis showed that the HIF-1alpha and iNOS expressions did not correlate with patient survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that HIF-1alpha and iNOS expressions merit further investigations in order to understand the biology of astrocytic gliomas. More data are needed from prospective studies.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Oncology, University of Patras Medical School, 26500, Rion, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannopoulou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ravazoula
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalofonos
authors.forename: Th
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makatsoris
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kardamakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497442:HIF1A protein, human; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II