Related Experiment Videos
Expression of gastrin in developing gastric adenocarcinoma
M Henwood1, P A Clarke, A M Smith
1Academic Unit of Cancer Studies, Section of Surgery, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
Background:
A stepwise progression through premalignant stages has been identified for the intestinal type of gastric carcinoma. As gastrin has been identified as a growth factor for the intestinal type of gastric adenocarcinoma, the aim of this study was to investigate whether gastrin is expressed in premalignant gastric conditions.
Methods:
Ninety archival samples of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, mild gastric epithelial dysplasia, moderate gastric epithelial dysplasia, severe gastric epithelial dysplasia and intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma were obtained. Immunocytochemistry was performed using antibodies directed against gastrin and its post-translational precursors, and the gastrin/cholecystokinin B receptor. Positive staining was identified using the avidin--biotin immunoperoxidase method and quantified using an image analysis system.
Results:
Gastrin and its receptor were shown to be expressed in specimens of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, epithelial dysplasia and the intestinal type of gastric carcinoma.
Conclusion:
Gastrin seems to be an important growth factor in gastric carcinogenesis.