Immunohistochemical localization of metallothionein and p53 protein in pancreatic serous cystadenomas.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to determine the expression levels of metallothionein (MT) and p53 protein, recognized neoplastic transformation markers, in pancreatic serous cystadenomas (SCA) and adenomocarcinomas.


METHODS
Neoplastic pancreatic tissue was taken from 20 patients with diagnosed benign (SCA: 5 cases) or malignant tumors (adenomocarcinomas: 15 cases) and control pancreatic tissue from healthy persons who had died in car accidents. Sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Immunohistochemical localization of MT and p53 protein was carried out by LSAB2-HRP using specific antibodies against MT and p53.


RESULTS
Metallothionein expression was observed only in the epithelial cells of the neoplastic tissue of SCAs. MT expression in the cystadenomas was weaker than in the healthy pancreatic tissue. No tissue was found with p53 protein expression. In the adenomocarcinomas, positive staining for MT was observed in 67% and p53 was positive in the carcinoma cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The weak MT expression and lack of p53 protein expression in pancreatic SCAs confirms the lack of local invasive potential of the neoplastic lesion. Increased expressions of MT and p53 were observed in the less differentiated tumors. Thus the expression of MT may be a potential prognostic marker for tumors.
Sliwińska-Mossoń
Mariola
M
Department of Biomedical and Environmental Analyses, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
Milnerowicz
Halina
H
Rabczyński
Jerzy
J
Milnerowicz
Stanisław
S
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018293:Cystadenoma, Serous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D008668:Metallothionein