Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) Expression Correlates with Tumor Severity in Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma

[摘要] Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is an unique intracellular serine/threonine kinase and adapter protein. When dysregulated, it has been associated with increased cell proliferation, anchorage-independent cell growth, evasion of apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion of surrounding tissues, downregulation of E-cadherin expression, nuclear translocation of β-catenin and metastasis, all features of tumoral malignancy. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the expression of ILK in clear cell renal carcinomas (CCRC) as a possible prognostic indicator. ILK immunoexpression was evaluated in a tissue microarray (TMA) with 45 human CCRCs. In addition, the apoptotic and proliferative indices and the immuno-expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin were also evaluated. E-cadherin expression was significantly decreased in tumors with positive ILK expression in relation to those with negative immunoexpression (p�?=�?0.011). ILK immunostaining was significantly increased in high-grade in comparison to low-grade CCRCs (p�?=�?0.0008). ILK expression was also associated with increased proliferative index (p�?=�?0.020), tumor size >7.0 cm (p�?=�?0.018) and with renal vein and capsule invasion (p�?=�?0.003 and p�?=�?0.00). Finally, tumors stage I and II (noninvasive) presented significantly reduced ILK immunoexpression when compared to stage III (locally invasive) (p�?=�?0.0028). ILK immunoexpression in CCRC increases with loss of intercellular adhesion, nuclear grading, increased proliferative index and Robson stage. Altogether, our data suggest a possible role for ILK in the progression of CRCC.

[学科分类] 生理学与病理学

[关键词] Human