Apoptotic cell death and Smad4 expression in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter
1Department of Urology, Kagawa Medical University, Kagawa, Japan.
Purpose:
To investigate the frequency of apoptosis and the expression of Smad4 protein as well as their roles in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the renal pelvis and ureter.
Methods:
Apoptosis was detected by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique in 34 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens of renal pelvic and ureteral TCC. The expression of Smad4 was immunohistochemically studied.
Results:
The incidence of apoptosis ranged from 1.10 to 3.75% with a median of 2.50% in TCC of the renal pelvis and ureter. The incidence of apoptosis was noted to be closely related to histologic grade but not to pathologic stage of the cancer. The expression of Smad4 was detected in six of 34 cases (17.6%). Regarding subcellular distribution, Smad4 protein was localized both in cytoplasm and nucleus of the cancer cells. In comparing the incidence of apoptosis with the expression of Smad4, no significant associations were seen between them. The expression of Smad4 was not related to the tumor grade nor stage of the cancer.
Conclusions:
The present study demonstrated close association of the incidence of apoptosis with the tumor grade of TCC of the renal pelvis and ureter. Significance of Smad4 expression was not noted in the study. It suggests that apoptotic cell death may play an important role in the tumor progression of renal pelvic and ureteral TCC.
Insights
Apoptosis is linked to tumor grade in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the renal pelvis and ureter. Smad4 protein expression showed no significant role in this cancer
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) affects the renal pelvis and ureter.
- Understanding the mechanisms of TCC progression is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of apoptosis in renal pelvis and ureter TCC.
- To investigate the expression of Smad4 protein in these tumors.
- To explore the roles of apoptosis and Smad4 in TCC.
Main Methods:
- Utilized terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) to detect apoptosis.
- Analyzed 34 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of renal pelvic and ureteral TCC.
- Employed immunohistochemistry to study Smad4 protein expression.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis incidence ranged from 1.10% to 3.75% (median 2.50%) and correlated with histologic grade, not stage.
- Smad4 protein was expressed in 17.6% of cases, localized in both cytoplasm and nucleus.
- No significant association was found between apoptosis incidence and Smad4 expression, nor between Smad4 expression and tumor grade or stage.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis incidence is closely associated with tumor grade in renal pelvis and ureter TCC.
- Smad4 protein expression did not appear to have a significant role in this study.
- Apoptotic cell death may be an important factor in the progression of renal pelvic and ureteral TCC.
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