[The expression and significance of nerve growth factor and its receptors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) and its receptors expression in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
Expression and distribution of beta-NGF, tyrosine kinase A (TrKA) and P75(NGFR) were detected in operation tissue specimens of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. Relations of beta-NGF and its receptors with clinical pathological characters, especially nerve invasion were analyzed.


RESULTS
beta-NGF and TrKA expression are higher in pancreatic adenocarcinoma than normal pancreas, and the differences are significant (P < 0.01). beta-NGF and TrKA expression are associated with the differentiation grades (DG), lymphatic node metastasis, nerve invasion and surgical pathological stages. Poorer of DG and later stages, more expression of beta-NGF and TrKA. beta-NGF and TrKA expression have positive correlations. beta-NGF, TrKA and P75(NGFR) mRNA expression have significantly increased 3.84, 4.23 and 2.41 times than normal tissues by real-time PCR, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
beta-NGF and TrKA might play potential roles in carcinogenesis for pancreatic cancer, have affinity with clinicopathological characters of pancreatic cancer. beta-NGF and TrKA may have mutual effect in signal transduction leading to perineural invasion of pancreatic carcinoma.
Meng
Ling-Xin
LX
Oncological Department, Rizhao People's Hospital, Rizhao Cancer Therapy Center, Rizhao 276826, China. menglx001623@163.com
Ding
Zhao-Jun
ZJ
Chen
Xi-Ping
XP
Fei
Li-Sheng
LS
Chi
Yu-Hua
YH
Zhao
Zhi-Gang
ZG
Wang
Xiao-Fang
XF
Hao
Xi-Shan
XS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000378:metabolism*
D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA