Quantification of protein expression in cells and cellular subcompartments on immunohistochemical sections using a computer supported image analysis system.
Quantification of protein expression based on immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an important step for translational research and clinical routine. Several manual ('eyeballing') scoring systems are used in order to semi-quantify protein expression based on chromogenic intensities and distribution patterns. However, manual scoring systems are time-consuming and subject to significant intra- and interobserver variability. The aim of our study was to explore, whether new image analysis software proves to be sufficient as an alternative tool to quantify protein expression. For IHC experiments, one nucleus specific marker (i.e., ERG antibody), one cytoplasmic specific marker (i.e., SLC45A3 antibody), and one marker expressed in both compartments (i.e., TMPRSS2 antibody) were chosen. Stainings were applied on TMAs, containing tumor material of 630 prostate cancer patients. A pathologist visually quantified all IHC stainings in a blinded manner, applying a four-step scoring system. For digital quantification, image analysis software (Tissue Studio v.2.1, Definiens AG, Munich, Germany) was applied to obtain a continuous spectrum of average staining intensity. For each of the three antibodies we found a strong correlation of the manual protein expression score and the score of the image analysis software. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was 0.94, 0.92, and 0.90 for ERG, SLC45A3, and TMPRSS2, respectively (p⟨0.01). Our data suggest that the image analysis software Tissue Studio is a powerful tool for quantification of protein expression in IHC stainings. Further, since the digital analysis is precise and reproducible, computer supported protein quantification might help to overcome intra- and interobserver variability and increase objectivity of IHC based protein assessment.
Institute of Pathology, and Department of Prostate Cancer Research, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Martin
M
Braun
Robert
R
Kirsten
Niels J
NJ
Rupp
Holger
H
Moch
Falko
F
Fend
Nicolas
N
Wernert
Glen
G
Kristiansen
Sven
S
Perner
D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins; D015588:Observer Variation; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D000071230:Transcriptional Regulator ERG
C072312:ERG protein, human; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C551031:SLC45a3 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D000071230:Transcriptional Regulator ERG; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C421305:TMPRSS2 protein, human