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Nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in human bladder carcinoma.
M Shochina1, Y Fellig, M Sughayer
1Department of Rehabilitation, Hadassah Medical Center and the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, il-91240, Israel.
Molecular Pathology : MP
|July 31, 2001
Summary
Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS), are expressed in bladder cancer and resemble fetal urothelium patterns. Their expression may play a role in bladder carcinogenesis and epithelial differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Urothelial biology
- Carcinogenesis research
- Nitric oxide signaling
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in human carcinogenesis.
- Investigating NO's role in bladder cancer is recent.
- Endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) NOS isoforms are key NO regulators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine eNOS and iNOS expression in human bladder carcinoma.
- To compare expression in schistosomal bladder disease.
- To contrast findings with normal adult and fetal urothelium.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry on 33 bladder carcinomas and 5 cell lines.
- Analysis of 7 schistosomal bladder cases.
- NADPH diaphorase reaction for enzymatic activity in cell lines.
Main Results:
- eNOS and iNOS immunoreactivity found in most bladder carcinomas.
- Similar expression patterns observed in schistosomal bladder cancer.
- Normal adult urothelium showed eNOS in superficial cells, absent iNOS; fetal urothelium expressed both isoforms in all layers.
Conclusions:
- NOS may influence transitional epithelium differentiation and adult bladder function.
- eNOS and iNOS expression patterns in bladder cancer mirror fetal urothelium.
- Expression levels of eNOS and iNOS do not differ between schistosomal and non-schistosomal bladder carcinoma.