title: Thymosin ß4 expression in colorectal polyps and adenomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) is a ubiquitous peptide that plays pivotal roles in the cytoskeletal system and in cell differentiation. Recently, a role for Tβ4 has been proposed in experimental and human carcinogenesis, including gastrointestinal cancer. This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between Tβ4 immunoreactivity and the initial steps of carcinogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 60 intestinal biopsies, including 10 hyperplastic polyps, 10 sessile serrated adenomas/polyps, 15 colorectal adenomas with low-grade dysplasia, 15 adenomas with high-grade dysplasia, 15 adenocarcinomas and 10 samples of normal colon mucosa, were analyzed for Tβ4 expression by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weak cytoplasmic reactivity for Tβ4 was detected in the normal colon mucosa. No reactivity for Tβ4 was found in hyperplastic and sessile serrated polyps/adenomas. Tβ4 expression was observed in 10/15 colorectal adenocarcinomas. In adenomas with low-grade dysplasia, Tβ4 immunoreactivity was mainly detected in dysplastic glands but was absent in hyperplastic glands. Tβ4 immunoreactivity was characterized by spot-like perinuclear staining. In high-grade dysplastic polyps, immunostaining for Tβ4 appeared diffuse throughout the entire cytoplasm of dysplastic cells. Spot-like perinuclear reactivity was detected in adenocarcinoma tumor cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows for the first time that Tβ4 is expressed during different steps of colon carcinogenesis. The shift of Tβ4 immunolocalization from low-grade to high-grade dysplastic glands suggests a role for Tβ4 in colorectal carcinogenesis. However, the real meaning of Tβ4 reactivity in dysplastic intestinal epithelium remains unknown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nemolato
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cabras
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Restivo
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zorcolo
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Felice
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fanni
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gerosa
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Messana
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castagnola
authors.forename: Gavino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faa
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casula
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003106:Colon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013947:Thymosin / Q000032:analysis*; D000099201:Thymosin beta(4)
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D013947:Thymosin; D000099201:Thymosin beta(4)