HMGA2 mRNA expression correlates with the malignant phenotype in human thyroid neoplasias.
We have analysed the expression of the HMGA2 gene in a panel of normal and neoplastic thyroid tissues by immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR. HMGA2 protein was detectable in four out of 21 follicular carcinomas, 30 out of 45 papillary carcinomas, and 11 out of 12 undifferentiated carcinomas. As far as follicular thyroid adenomas are concerned, only three cases of the 31 analysed showed HMGA2 protein expression, whereas it was absent in seven normal thyroid tissues and in 12 hyperplastic nodules. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that almost all the papillary thyroid carcinomas and 13 out of 16 follicular thyroid carcinomas express much higher HMGA2 specific mRNA levels in comparison to normal thyroids and adenomas. Therefore, our data support the quantitative RT-PCR analysis of HMGA2 expression, rather than immunohistochemistry, as a powerful tool for the diagnosis of thyroid neoplasias.
Chiappetta
Gennaro
G
Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Fondazione Pascale, via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Ferraro
Angelo
A
Vuttariello
Emilia
E
Monaco
Mario
M
Galdiero
Francesca
F
De Simone
Veronica
V
Califano
Daniela
D
Pallante
Pierlorenzo
P
Botti
Gerardo
G
Pezzullo
Luciano
L
Pierantoni
Giovanna Maria
GM
Santoro
Massimo
M
Fusco
Alfredo
A
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000235:genetics*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000235:genetics*; D025743:HMGA2 Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
D025743:HMGA2 Protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm