Phosphorylated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase is overexpressed in human papillary thyroid carcinomas and associates with lymph node metastasis.
To evaluate the associations of phosphorylated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (p-JNK) expression with clinicopathological features in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, p-JNK expression were immunohistochemically measured in 121 thyroid samples. p-JNK was overexpressed in papillary thyroid carcinomas with respect to matched nontumorous tissues (P=0.000), which was supported by western blot analysis. Increased p-JNK expression was significantly associated with the presence of lymph node metastases (P=0.001) and advanced TNM stages (P=0.02). Furthermore, p-JNK expression was positively correlated with osteopontin (OPN) expression (r=0.58, P<0.001). Activation of p-JNK may play a role in the carcinogenesis and lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma, and may be a molecular target for therapeutic intervention.
Department of Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan 250012, China. wangxiao@sdu.edu.cn
Xiao
X
Wang
Lan
L
Chao
Junhui
J
Zhen
Liansheng
L
Chen
Guohui
G
Ma
Xin
X
Li
D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D053495:Osteopontin; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases