Immunohistochemical analysis of thyroid-specific transcription factors in thyroid tumors

Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1), thyroid transcription factor 2 (TTF2) and paired box gene 8 (Pax8) are demonstrated to play a crucial role for the differentiation and organogenesis of thyroid follicular cells. Their roles in thyroid carcinogenesis are not very clear. Because dedifferentiation is a common process in thyroid carcinogenesis, thyroid-specific transcription factors seem also to be involving in thyroid carcinogenesis. The purpose of the present paper was to investigate their expression in a broad spectrum of follicular cell tumors in different degrees of differentiation, from well-differentiated benign follicular adenoma to anaplastic carcinoma. Medullary (C cell) carcinoma was also included in the investigation. Results of immunohistochemical staining showed that nuclear localization of these transcription factors was gradually decreased corresponding to the progressive dedifferentiation of thyroid tumors. Also, abnormal cytoplasmic accumulation of TTF2 and Pax8 was detected in many tumors samples, which may indicate a subtle regulation mechanism on the function of these transcription factors. In conclusion, abnormal expression of TTF1, TTF2 and Pax8 was closely related to thyroid tumorigenesis.