title: CyclinD1 protein expressed in pterygia is associated with β-catenin protein localization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Wnt (Wg/Wnt) signaling cascade plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Our previous report indicated that aberrant localization of β-catenin proteins was a feature of pterygia. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the association of β-catenin protein and expression of a downstream gene, cyclin D1, in pterygial tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using immunohistochemistry, β-catenin and cyclin D1 protein expression was studied, in 150 pterygial specimens and 30 normal conjunctivas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-three (48.7%) and 60 (40.0%) pterygial specimens tested positive for β-catenin and cyclin D1 protein expression, respectively. Cyclin D1protein expression was significantly higher in β-catenin-nuclear/cytoplasmic positive groups than in β-catenin membrane positive and negative groups (p < 0.0001). In addition, cyclin D1 expression was significantly higher in the fleshy group than in the atrophic and intermediate groups (p = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrated that β-catenin expressed in nuclei/cytoplasm increases cyclinD1 protein expression, which invokes pterygial cell proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jai-Nien
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Chun-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Yi-Yu
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Ying-Yi
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Kun-Tu
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Huei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ya-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D021381:Protein Transport; D011625:Pterygium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C530104:CCND1 protein, human; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D051176:beta Catenin; D019938:Cyclin D1