FAP-alpha and uPA show different expression patterns in premalignant and malignant esophageal lesions.
Fibroblast activation protein-alpha (FAP-alpha) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) are serine proteases involved in cancer invasion and metastasis. The authors examined FAP-alpha and uPA expression in premalignant and malignant stages of esophageal adenocarcinoma by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, Western blotting was performed on fresh-frozen tissue samples. FAP-alpha and uPA were detected in metaplastic, dysplastic, and carcinoma cells, as well as in adjacent stroma. Stromal FAP-alpha expression was associated with depth of tumor invasion, while stromal uPA expression correlated with lymph node metastases in adenocarcinomas. Stromal uPA expression in cells with premalignant changes correlated with histological grading. Immunoblotting showed higher protease expression in carcinoma tissues than in normal esophageal epithelium. These results suggest that FAP-alpha and uPA expression in metaplastic, dysplastic, and esophageal cancer tissue is associated with neoplastic progression of esophageal lesions.
Department of Surgery, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Centre and Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Oslo, Montebello, Oslo, Norway. m.a.goscinski@medisin.uio.no
Mariusz Adam
MA
Goscinski
Zhenhe
Z
Suo
Vivi Ann
VA
Flørenes
Ljiljana
L
Vlatkovic
Jahn Marthin
JM
Nesland
Karl-Erik
KE
Giercksky
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018450:Disease Progression; D010450:Endopeptidases; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D018093:Gelatinases; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000099167:Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D010450:Endopeptidases; D018093:Gelatinases; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator; D000099167:Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha