title: [The significance of nm23 gene expression in embryonic tissues and lung cancer tissues].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To clarify the relationship between nm23-H1 gene and differentiation of embryonic tissues and the significance of its expression in pulmonary carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  nm23-H1 protein ( NM23-H1) was detected in the embryonic tissues of SD rats and human being, as well as in human lung cancer tissues, by immunohistochemistry method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only embryonic tissues with definite configuration ( organ structure) expressed NM23-H1 constantly. Positive rate of NM23-H1 was 34. 7% in 49 cases of human lung cancer tissues, and 27. 3% in squamous cell carcinoma, 50. 0% in adenocarcinoma. The positive rate of NM23-H1 was 22. 2% in 27 cases of hilar lymph node metastatic foci, and 34. 8% in primary tumour foci ( P > 0. 05) . There was no significant difference of lymphatic metastatic rates between NM23-H1 positive and negative primary tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is positive correlation between accumulation of NM23-H1 and differentiation of embryonic tissues and lung carcinoma. NM23-H1 may play an important role in maintaining a stable epithelial structure. It doesn't show that NM23-H1 can directly inhibit the metastasis of lung cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology , Medical College of Ji'nan University , Guangzhou , Guangdong 510630, P . R.China.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: He