Expression of osteopontin in endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer

AIM: To study the expression and significance of osteopontin (OPN) in endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer. METHODS: Immunohistochemical S-P assay was used to detect the expression of OPN in paraffin-embedded sections of 30 cases of endometrial carcinoma, 20 cases of cervical cancer and 30 cases of normal control tissues. The relationship between OPN expression and clinical-pathological characteristics was evaluated. RESULTS: The positive immunostaining rates of OPN in endometrial carcinoma (70%) and cervical cancers (55%) were significantly higher than that in the normal secretive and proliforative endometrium (50% and 10%) and normal cervical epithelium (10%), respectively (P<0.01). The positive immunostaining rate of OPN in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix was 53.3% and 60%, respectively, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The positive immunostaining rate of OPN in stage Ⅲ and stage Ⅱ and G3 and G2 of endometrial carcinoma was significantly higher than that in stage Ⅰ and type G1 of endometrial carcinoma. The positive immunostaining rate of OPN in stage Ⅱb and type G3 of cervical cancer was significantly higher than that in stage Ⅰa and type G1 of cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: OPN is significantly highly expressed in both endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer, and its expression is closely related to the stage and grading of these malignant tumors.     

The application of DWI and ADC mapping in acute cerebral infarction and basis of pathophysiology

AIM:To study the roles of isotropic diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)and apparent diffusion coeficient(ADC)mapping in diagnosing early cerebral infarction.METHODS:21 patients with cerebral in farction (8hyperacute,13 acute)were imaged with both convent ional MRI and single-shot echo-planar isotropic diffusion weighted imaging.Among them 12 pat ients had CT scanning simultaneously within 24 hours after onset.The positive rate of early in farction was comparted on CT,T₂WI and DEI.The change of the infarct lesion in DWI and T₂WI was also analysed.The av erage ADC,relat ive ADC(rADC)and the ADC from center to periphery of the lesion were calculated.RESULTS:8 hypera cute cerebral ischemic regions were revealed at DWI and ADC mapping,but CT and conventional MR were not.Hyperacute and acute infarcts appeared as areas of hyperintensity on DWI,and their average ADC was significantly depressed comparted with homologous contralateral tissue(0.698±0.104)×10^-3mm²/s vs(0.990±0.161)×10^-3mm²/s(P<0.01).ADC value in 21 hypera cute had gradient sign.CONCLUSION:Isotropic diffusion weighted imaging and ADC mapping have greater senstitivity for acute and hyperacute cerebral infarction than conventional MRI and CT,and may be used to defined the core and penumbra of ischemic lesion.     

Proteomic analysis of human endometrium during the implantation window

AIM: To establish a method for determining the differential expression of proteins in human endometrium during the implantation window and to analyze the correlation between altered expression of the proteins and endometrial receptivity. METHODS: A comparative proteomic strategy in a combination of two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was adopted to search the proteomic alternations in the endometria of pre-receptive pre-receptive [day 2 after luteinizing hormone surge (LH+2 d)] state versus the endometria of receptive (LH+7 d) state. Validation of annexin IV was performed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Approximate 2 555±98 polypeptide spots were revealed by densitometry analysis of the 2D protein maps in LH+2 d and LH+7 d endometrial tissues resolved in the linear range of pH 3~10 on the 2D gel, in which 31 proteins were found to be significantly changed, including 17 proteins up-regulated and 14 proteins down-regulated in LH+7 d samples. These 31 identified proteins were classified into 6 functional categories of the correlation with implantation process: cell migration or assimilation, enzymic activity, signal transduction and gene regulation, immunoregulation, vascularization, and blood clotting or fibrinolysis system. The same expression trend of annexin IV was confirmed by Western blotting. CONCLUSION: Human endometrium has a differential proteomic repertoire during the window of implantation. The 6 functional categories of differentially expressed proteins in the receptive endometrium indicate that they play an important role in transforming of the endometrium during the receptive state.     

Endocrine differentiation and its mechanism in endometrial carcinoma

AIM:To investigate endocrine differentiation and its mechanism in endometrial carcinoma.METHODS:Endocrine cells (EC) were identified by immunohistochemical staining of chromogranin A in 50 cases of endometrioid adenocarcinoma and 20 cases of normal endometrium. Double-label techniques were used for simultaneous demonstration of the CgA and cytokeratin.RESULTS:The positive rate of CgA in endometrioid adenocarcinoma was 44.0%, and was significant higher than that in normal endometrium (15.0%, P＜0.05). Scanty EC was present in normal endometrium. The number and staining intensity of EC in endometrioid adenocarcinoma were greater than that in normal. Co-expression of CgA and cytokeratin were detected in endometrioid adenocarcinoma.CONCLUSION:The presence of endocrine cells in endometrioid adenocarcinoma showed heterogeneity of tumors. The occurrence of "Multidirectional differentiation cells" within the endometrioid adenocarcinoma may indicate that endocrine cells derive from malignant cells of multidirectional differentiation.     

The action of recombinant human nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (rhNDPK-A) on the growth of S180,H22,Lewis and H460 tumors in vivo

AIM:To study the action of nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (NDPK-A) on the growth of S180,H22,Lewis and H460.METHODS:S180 or H22 cell (5×106) were inoculate subcutaneously into the right armpit of 85 Kunming mice,which were randomized into 8 groups.Lewis lung carcinoma cells (2×105) were inoculate subcutaneously into the right armpit of 85 C57BL/6 mice,which were randomized as Kunming mice.From the 2nd day,the treated groups were given different dose of rhNDPK-A once a day for 8 days (for S180 or H22 by iv) or for 10 days (for Lewis by ip),and the control group was given physiological saline only.H460 tissue pieces about 1.5 mm×1.5 mm×1.5 mm each were inoculated subcutaneously into the armpit of 38 Balb/c/neu mice.After the volume of xenograft become 100 mm×100 mm×100 mm,the nude mice were randomized into 5 groups and given different dose of rhNDPK-A once a day for 17 days.2 days after above treatments,the mice were killed and dissected.The knubs were peeled off and weighted.RESULTS:The growth of S180,H22 and H460 were inhibited by rhNDPK and the growth of H22 was inhibited by rhNDPK at dose of 20 mg/kg combined with cisplatin (0.5 mg/kg).But the growth of Lewis lung cancer was not inhibited.CONCLUSION:rhNDPK-A inhibited the growth of S180,H22 and H460.rhNDPK-A (20 mg/kg) potentiated the antitumor action of cisplatin on H22.     

Protein and mRNA expression of KAI1 metastasis suppressor gene and its clinical significance in cervical carcinoma

AIM: To study the mRNA and protein expression of Kang ai1 (KAI1) tumor suppressor gene and to determine the relationship between KAI1 and invasiveness and metastasis of cervical cancer. METHODS: The expression of KAI1 metastasis suppressor was detected by immunohistochemistry in paraffin slides and by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in fresh tissue. The samples included 20 cases of normal cervical tissues, 20 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 40 cases of cervical carcinoma. The results of the gene expression combined with the pathological and clinical data were also analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of KAI1 protein and mRNA was related to the tissue differentiation of cervix. The positive rates of KAI1 expression were the highest in the normal cervical tissue, the middle in CIN and the lowest in cervical carcinoma with significant difference among three groups (P<0.01). The expression of KAI1 protein was not related with the grade of CIN (P>0.05). However, both mRNA and protein expression of KAI1 were related to the differentiation and the clinical stages of cervical cancer (P<0.01) and also related to the metastasis of the cancer. The positive rates between the non-lymphatic metastasis and lymphatic metastasis (P<0.05) were significant different. Cox regression and logistic regression showed that the tissue differentiation, clinical stages, lymphatic metastasis and expression of KAI1 were all related factors with recurrence and prognosis of cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: The down-regulation of KAI1 tumor suppressor gene at both mRNA and protein levels is related to the differentiation, clinical stages and metastasis of cervical cancer, indicating that the expression of KAI1 is a prognostic factor for cervical cancer.     

Expression of CD44s in lung cancer and its significance

AIM: To investigate expression of CD44s in lung cancer and it's clinical significance. METHODS: A total of 117 primary lung cancer from patients were examined for CD44s expression by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: CD44s mostly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but not in small ecll lung cancer (SCLC), and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) showed much stronger expression of CD44s than adenocarcinoma(ADC)(P＜0.05). In comparison of the lung cancer with/ without lymph node metastasis, the latter showed stronger expression of CD44s(P＜0.01). According to TNM, there was a distinct statistic difference between early stage and advanced stage(P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: CD44s might be a better indicant in histological classification of lung cancer, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage and prognosis.     

Molecular mechanism of miR-1246 enhancing radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of microRNA-1246(miR-1246) enhancing radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. METHODS: Cervical cancer lines HeLa, CaSki, C33A and SiHa were transfected with miR-1246 mimic and negative control mimic (NC-mimic) using Lipofectamine 2000 kit, and the expression level of miR-1246 in cervical cancer tissue, normal tissue, cervical cancer cell lines and endometrial epithelium cell line ESC was detected by real-time PCR. The transfected cells were exposed to X-ray radiation. The cell viability and migration rate were measured respectively by MTT assay and Transwell method. The protein levels of γH2AX, ATM, p-ATM and p-p53 were monitored by immunofluorescence and Western blot. RESUITS: Higher miR-1246 level was found in normal tissue and ESC cells, while lower miR-1246 level was found in HeLa, SiHa, C33A and Caski cells and cervical cancer tissues. The expression level of miR-1246 in the cells transfected with miR-1246 mimic was significantly higher than that in the cells transfected with NC-mimic (P<0.05). The cell viability and migration rate of the cervical cancer cells with miR-1246 over-expression were notably lower than those of the cells transfected with NC-mimic (P<0.05) under the same conditions. The results of immunofluorescence indicated that the protein expression level of γH2AX significantly increased in the cervical cancer cells with miR-1246 over-expression exposed to radiation compared with the negative control (P<0.05). The protein expression level of γH2AX was significantly increased in the cervical cancer cells with miR-1246 over-expression, while the protein levels of p-ATM and p-p53 were significantly decreased as compared with the negative control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-1246 is highly expressed in normal tissue and normal endometrial epithelial cells, while is low expressed in the cervical cancer tissues or cells. miR-1246 over-expression inhibits growth and migration, and significantly enhances radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. The molecular mechanism is possibly related to inhibiting ATM pathway and DNA damage repair.     

Expression of SCD-1 in cervical carcinoma and effect of its down-regulation on proliferation and apoptosis of cervical carcinoma cells

AIM:To examine the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) in normal cervical tissues, cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues, and cervical carcinoma cell lines HeLa, SiHa and CaSki, and to investigate the effect of down-regulation of SCD-1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical carcinoma cells. METHODS:The expression of SCD-1 was detected by Western blotting in normal cervical tissues, cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues, and cervical carcinoma cell lines HeLa, SiHa and CaSki. SCD-1 siRNA and control siRNA were utilized to transfect CaSki cells by Lipofectamine 2000, and SCD-1 protein level was determined by Western blotting after transfection. Furthermore, CCK-8 and flow cytometry were utilized to investigate the changes of cell proliferation and apoptosis after transfection with SCD-1 siRNA in CaSki cells. Subsequently, the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were analyzed by Caspase-Glo3/7 and 9 detection kit after transfection with SCD-1 siRNA in CaSki cells. Finally, the protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS:The protein expression of SCD-1 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in normal cervical tissues, and the protein expression of SCD-1 in the 3 cervical carcinoma cell lines was obviously higher than that in normal cervical tissues, in which CaSki cells displayed the highest SCD-1 protein level. In addition, the protein expression of SCD-1 in SCD-1 siRNA group was significantly lower than that in untreated group and control siRNA group. Compared with untreated group and control siRNA group, the proliferation of CaSki cells was markedly inhibited in SCD-1 siRNA group. Early apoptotic rate in SCD-1 siRNA group was evidently higher than that in untreated group and control siRNA group. The activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and the level of Bax protein were significantly elevated, and the protein level of Bcl-2 was obviously reduced after transfection with SCD-1 siRNA in CaSki cells. CONCLUSION: SCD-1 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of cervical carcinoma, and its down-regulation, which mediates cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis, may be tightly associated with the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.     

Expression of HDAC6 protein in cervical carcinoma tissues and its clinical significance

AIM:To investigate the protein expression of histone deacetylase 6(HDAC6) in cervical carcinoma tissues and its clinical value. METHODS:The method of immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of HDAC6 in 63 cases of cervical carcinoma tissues, 38 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN) tissues and 63 cases of normal cervical epithelial tissues. The relationships between the protein expression of HDAC6 and clinical pathological features were analyzed. The protein expression of HDAC6 in randomly selected 4 cases of cervical carcinoma tissues and paired normal cervical epithelial tissues was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS:Positive rates of HDAC6 protein expression in cervical carcinoma tissues were significantly higher than that in CIN tissues or normal cervical epithelial tissues, and there were obvious differences among the 3 groups(P<0.05). The protein expression of HDAC6 was not related to age and histological differentiation(P>0.05), but closely associated with clinical stages, invasive depth and lymph node metastasis(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Furthermore, the result of Western blotting demonstrated that the protein level of HDAC6 in cervical carcinoma tissues was markedly higher than that in normal cervical epithelial tissues. CONCLUSION:HDAC6 may be an important molecular marker for evaluating malignant degree and prognosis of cervical carcinoma.     

Antiproliferation effects of 188Re labeled monoclonal antibody on prostate cancer cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate the effect of 188Re labeled monoclonal antibody on prostatic specific membrane antigen 7E11C5.3,radioimmunotherapy for the treatment of human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP in vitro.METHODS: 188Re-7E11C5.3 was prepared by direct 2-mercaptoethanol reduction method.Labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity was measured by paper chromatography.Immunoreactive fraction was determined by linear extrapolation.Cytotoxicity to LNCaP cells was determined by MTT assay.RESULTS: The labeling yield of 188Re-7E11C5.3 was (93.16±2.18)%,the radiochemical purity was (95.62±0.48)%,and the immunoreactive fraction was (74.86±1.86)%.The inhibitory effect of 188Re-7E11C5.3 on cell proliferation of LNCaP cells was significantly higher than that of 188Re-mIgG or 188ReO-4.The 50% inhibitory doses (IC50) of 188Re-7E11C5.3,188Re-mIgG,and 188ReO-4 were (23.38±3.73)×107 Bq/L,(59.21±8.02)×107 Bq/L and (68.89±10.91)×107 Bq/L,respectively.CONCLUSION: 188Re-7E11C5.3 can effectively inhibit the growth of in vitro cultured prostate cancer cells and shows much potential for prostate cancer radioimmunotherapy.     

Transfection of siRNA into rabbit cervical cells in transformation zone by adopting solid phase in vivo inhibits HPV-DNA replication in SCID mouse with cervical carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the possibility of transfecting siRNA into rabbit cervical cells in transformation zone by the method of solid phase in vivo and to verify the effectivity of siRNA transfection by modifying the permeability of the cervical epithelium. METHODS: A sense strand small-interference RNA (siRNA) for human papillomavirus type 16 (21 bp) was designed and labeled with Cy3. siRNA-Lipo2000-carbomer gum was prepared. Twelve rabbits were included in the study and divided into experimental group and control group. In order to modify the permeability of cervical epithelium, hypertonic saline solution at concentration of 200 mmol/L was used to infuse the cervix in the experimental rabbits for 10 min, and normal saline was used for the control animals. The siRNA-Lipo2000-carbomer gum was applied to the surface of the rabbit cervix. Twenty-four hours later, the rabbits were sacrificed, and the cervix was isolated, cut into 2 parts, one part was for rapid frozen sectioning and the efficiency of transfection was observed under fluorescence microscope, another part was prepared by paraffin embedding and sectioning, and the form of cervical histiocytes was observed. Twelve SCID mice with SiHa cell cervical tumor, divided into experimental group and control group, were also used in the study. The mice in experimental group were treated with siRNA-Lipo2000-carbomer gum for 7 d. The control mice were treated with Lipo2000-carbomer gum only. Five days later, the mice were sacrificed and the tumor was collected, and the HPV16-DNA was measured by PCR. RESULTS: (1) Red fluorescence (Cy3) in cervical epithelium was observed in all rabbits. However, no different effect of siRNA transfection was found between the ways of modifying the cervical epithelium permeability. (2) No abnormal change such as flare, swelling and ulcer at all cervical tissue was observed, the cervical cell form was normal. (3) The titer of HPV16-DNA was decreased significantly after siRNA transfection (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Transfection of siRNA into rabbit cervical epithelium in vivo is successful by using the method of solid phase and inhibits the processes of HPV-DNA, indicating that using RNAi is a practical way to treat HPV infection in human cercix and to decrease the incidence of cercical carcinoma.     

Role of bcl-2 gene expression in inhabition of hepatocellular carcinoma by genistein in nude mice

AIM:To probe into the role of 1, 4, 5 - trisphosphate inositol (IP3) and bcl-2 gene expression in inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma of nude mice by genistein. METHODS:Animals with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with genistein 1 mg·kg-1·d-1 (ip) for 3 weeks. The volume and weight of tumaor were measured. IP3, bcl-2 mRNA, Bcl-2 protein were assayed by IP3-［3H］ Birtrak assay, RT-PCR, Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS:The tumor volume and weight of animals treated with genistein were lower than those in control (42.7mm3±27.8mm3 vs 52.3mm3±26.5mm3, 42.7mg±27.8 mg vs 91.3mg±31.4 mg). IP3 content was lower than that in control ［(13.4±1.4)nmol/g protein vs (35.3±6.6)nmol/g protein］. bcl-2 mRNA expression was lower in group treated with genistein than that in control (RI which was the gray degree multiply area of bcl-2 / the gray degree multiply area of β-actin 0.48±0.02 vs 0.56±0.15). Bcl-2 protein expression was lower in group treated with genistein than that in control (RI 1.69±0.52 vs 1.37±0.48). CONCLUSION:Genistein inhibits growth of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mouse liver by reducing IP3 production and down-regulating bcl-2 gene expression.     

Effects of down-regulation of AEG-1 expression on cell cycle and invasion of human cervical carcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of down-regulation of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) expression on cell cycle and invasion of human cervical carcinoma SiHa cells.METHODS: The protein expression of AEG-1 was detected by Western blotting in normal cervical tissues, cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues, HeLa cells, SiHa cells and CaSki cells. Control siRNA or AEG-1 siRNA was transfected into SiHa cells, and the protein expression of AEG-1 in SiHa cells was detected by Western blotting. The changes of cell cycle distribution and cell invasion were determined by flow cytometry and Boyden chamber, respectively. The protein levels of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2(CDK2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were analyzed by Western blotting.RESULTS: The protein expression of AEG-1 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in normal cervical tissues (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the protein expression of AEG-1 in the 3 cervical carcinoma cell lines was obviously higher than that in normal cervical tissues, in which SiHa cells displayed the highest AEG-1 protein level (P<0.05). In addition, AEG-1 siRNA effectively down-regulated the protein expression of AEG-1 in SiHa cells, which led to increase the percentage at G0/G1 phase and reduced the invasion of SiHa cells. Furthermore, the protein levels of cyclin D1, CDK2 and MMP-9 in AEG-1 siRNA group were markedly lower than those in non-treatment group and control siRNA group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Over-expression of AEG-1 may be closely associated with the occurrence and development of cervical carcinoma, and the AEG-1 down-regulation-mediated cell cycle arrest and attenuation of invasion may be tightly related to the down-regulations of cyclin D1, CDK2 and MMP-9 at protein levels.     

Expression of EphA2 and ephrin-A1 in endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma and their relationship with angiogenesis

AIM: To investigate the expression of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A2 (EphA2) and its ligand ephrin-A1 in endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEA), and to analyze their relationship with angiogenesis of the tumor. METHODS: The CD34-stained microvessel density (MVD) and the expression of ephA2 and ephrin-A1 were detected by immunohistochemical assay in 56 cases of EEA, 20 cases of endometrial hyperplasia, 30 cases of normal proliferative endometrium and 30 cases of normal secretory endometrium. The correlations among the expression of EphA2 and ephrin-A1, MVD and clinicopathological features were analyzed. RESULTS: MVD and the expression of EphA2 and ephrin-A1 in EEA were significantly higher than those in the tissues from endometrial hyperplasia and normal endometrium (P<0.05). They were related to FIGO stage, histological differentiation, depth of myometrial invasion, lymphovascular invasion and progesterone receptor expression (P<0.05). A significant positive correlation between MVD and the expression of EphA2 and ephrin-A1 was observed by Spearman rank correlation test (r=0.476, P<0.05; r=0.501, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of EphA2 and its ligand ephrin-A1 in EEA may be involved in the angiogenesis and progesterone resistance.     

Rapamycin enhances chemosensitivity of endometrial cancer cells to adria-mycin

AIM: To explore the therapeutic effect of adriamycin combined with rapamycin on endometrial cancer cells. METHODS: Two endometrial carcinoma cell lines with different PTEN gene states were chosen: HEC-1A (wild type) and Ishikawa (mutant type). Before adriamycin administration, the cells were pretreated with low concentration of rapamycin for 24 h. The cell viability and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of adriamycin at 24 h were determined by MTT assay. Multiple drug effect/combination index (CI) was used to evaluate the interaction between adriamycin and rapamycin. Apoptotic rate was measured by flow cytometry. The effects of the drugs on phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and apoptosis protein caspase-3 were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Both adriamycin and rapamycin showed obvious growth inhibitory effects on the 2 endometrial cancer cell lines in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After pretreated with rapamycin, IC₅₀ of adriamycin decreased sharply. In Ishikawa cells, it decreased from (21.3±3.8) μmol/L to(11.9±1.2) μmol/L,P<0.05. In HEC-1A cells, it decreased from (14.3±2.8) μmol/L to (8.2±0.9) μmol/L,P<0.05. Combination index value of the 2 drugs was more than 1.15 in the 2 endometrial cancer cell lines, indicating synergistic effects. The combination therapy of adriamycin with rapamycin increased apoptotic rates in the 2 cell lines, and induced the down-regulation of phosphorylated Akt and over-expression of caspase-3 as compared with single drug treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Adriamycin combined with rapamycin significantly enhances the chemosensitivity of endometrial cancer cells and reduces drug resistance, which will become a new trend for treating endometrial cancer.     

Expression of Tpl-2 in colorectal carcinogenesis

AIM: To analyze the relationship between Tpl-2 (tumor progression locus 2)expression and clinicopathological parameters of colorectal carcinoma by investigating the expression of Tpl-2 in adjacent normal mucosa, colorectal adenomas and colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Tpl-2 expression in normal mucosa, adenoma and carcinoma was examined and compared in a set of tissue microarrays by immunohistochemistry. The potential relationship between Tpl-2 expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of Tpl-2 in carcinoma was significantly increased compared to the adenoma and normal mucosa (P<0.01). No significant difference was detected between the adenoma and normal mucosa (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the correlation between Tpl-2 expression and lymph node metastasis (N stage) and TNM stage (P<0.05) was observed. However, the correlation between the Tpl-2 expression and clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer including sex, age, body mass index (BMI), tumor size, histological differentiation, invasive depth (T stage),distant metastasis(M stage) and K-ras mutation (P>0.05) was not found. CONCLUSION: Tpl-2 has a relevance to the development of colorectal cancer as a promotive factor in the colorectal carcinogenesis.