[Smad4 and TGF-beta1 expression and clinical significance in bladder transitional cell carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of Smad4 and TGF-beta1 in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC), and to understand the mechanism of invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of BTCC.


METHODS
The expressions of Smad4 and TGF-beta1 in samples of 42 human bladder carcinoma and 12 normal bladder mucosa tissues were determined with standard immunohistochemical analysis. We also analyzed the relationship among the expressions of Smad4 and TGF-beta1 and invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of BTCC, and the correlation between Smad4 and TGF-beta1.


RESULTS
The positive rate of Smad4 in BTCC was significantly lower than those in normal bladder mucosa tissues (33.3% vs 83.3%, P < 0.01). The expressions of Smad4 in poorly differentiated, invasive, recurrent, or with lymph node metastasis of BTCCs were lower than those in well differentiated, superficial, nonrecurrent, or without lymph node metastasis ones (P <0.05). The positive rate of TGF-beta1 in BTCC was significantly lower than that in normal bladder mucosa tissues (64.3% vs 100%, P <0.01), which was positively correlated to that of Smad4 (P = 0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
The expressions of Smad4 and TGF-beta1 in BTCC decrease with the increase in clinical stage, poor pathological grade, and the recurrence and metastasis of BTCC.
Tang
Zheng-yan
ZY
Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. xytzyan@163.com
Yang
Luo-yan
LY
Zhang
Yong-jin
YJ
Peng
Ke-liang
KL
Qi
Lin
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D051901:Smad4 Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D051901:Smad4 Protein; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta