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Aberrant maspin expression in gallbladder epithelium is associated with intestinal metaplasia in patients with

C Maesawa1, S Ogasawara, A Yashima-Abo

  • 1Department of Pathology, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Uchimaru 19-1, 020-8505 Morioka, Japan. chihaya@iwate-med.ac.jp

Journal of Clinical Pathology
|March 1, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Maspin protein expression was investigated in gallbladder epithelium of patients with gallstones. Aberrant maspin was linked to intestinal metaplasia, suggesting it may predispose to gallbladder cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Aberrant maspin protein expression, linked to DNA hypomethylation, is common in gallbladder carcinomas.
  • Non-tumorous gallbladder epithelium typically shows no maspin expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate maspin protein expression in non-tumorous gallbladder epithelium of patients with cholelithiasis (gallstones).

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of maspin expression.
  • Study included 69 patients with cholelithiasis and 30 patients with gastric cancer.

Main Results:

  • Maspin protein was detected in focal and patchy areas of gallbladder epithelium.
  • Positive maspin expression significantly correlated with intestinal metaplasia in patients with gallstones (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • High incidence of aberrant maspin in intestinal metaplasia and gallbladder carcinoma suggests a potential predisposing role.
  • Intestinal metaplasia of the gallbladder may be a precursor to gallbladder carcinoma.

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