CyclinD1 protein expressed in pterygia is associated with β-catenin protein localization

[摘要] Background: The Wnt (Wg/Wnt) signalingcascade plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Our previous reportindicated that aberrant localization of β-catenin proteins was afeature of pterygia. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze theassociation 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 150pterygial specimens and 30 normal conjunctivas. Results: Seventy-three (48.7%) and 60(40.0%) pterygial specimens tested positive for β-catenin and cyclin D1protein expression, respectively. Cyclin D1protein expression wassignificantly higher in β-catenin-nuclear/cytoplasmic positive groupsthan in β-catenin membrane positive and negative groups (p<0.0001).In addition, cyclin D1 expression was significantly higher in thefleshy group than in the atrophic and intermediate groups (p=0.006). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated thatβ-catenin expressed in nuclei/cytoplasm increases cyclinD1 proteinexpression, which invokes pterygial cell proliferation.

[学科分类] 生物化学/生物物理