PlexinA1 expression in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with tumor angiogenesis and proliferation

To explore the expression of PlexinA1 in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with tumor angiogenesis and proliferation.

PlexinA1 mRNA and protein expressions of Semaphorin6D were measured using semi-quantity reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting in 20 cases of gastric carcinoma and corresponding normal gastric mucosa. PlexinA1, Ki-67 expression and microvessel density (MVD) were detected by immunohistochemistry in 50 cases of gastric carcinoma and 20 cases of normal gastric mucosa.

The mRNA and protein expressions of PlexinA1 in gastric carcinoma were significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa (0.71 +/- 0.37 vs 0.60 +/- 0.25, P = 0.0299 < 0.05, and 0.47 +/- 0.16 vs 0.21 +/- 0.08, P = 0.0000 < 0.01), and MVD within tumor tissues increased significantly with PlexinA1 mRNA expression (r =0.8736, P < 0.01) and PlexinA1 protein expression (r = 0.7286, P < 0.01), and MVD of the PlexinA1 positive staining group (25.25 +/- 3.93) was significantly higher than that of the negative group (19.56 +/- 1.75), (P < 0.01). Proliferation index of tumor cells within tumor tissues were positively correlated with PlexinA1 mRNA expression (r = 0.5420, P = 0.014 < 0.01) and PlexinA1 protein expression (r = 0.5024, P = 0.024 < 0.05). The proliferation index of the PlexinA1 positive staining group (567.69 +/- 125.61) was significantly higher than that of the negative group (369.58 +/- 116.88), (P < 0.01).

PlexinA1 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric carcinoma, and be related to tumor angiogenesis and proliferation.