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Published on: January 9, 2019
Increased inhibitor of differentiation 4 (id4) expression in glioblastoma: a tissue microarray study
Weifin Zeng1, Elisabeth J Rushing, Daniel P Hartmann
11. Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Background:
The inhibitor of differentiation/DNA binding protein family (Id1-4) is involved in cell cycle control, tumorigenesis and angiogenesis through the negative regulation of helix-loop-helix transcription factors. Of these proteins, Id4 is known to play an important role in neural stem cell differentiation, and deregulation has been implicated in glial neoplasia. However, the expression and significance of Id4 in astrocytomas has not been fully addressed. Herein we report the differential expression of Id4 in astrocytomas of various grades using tissue microarrays (TMA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Design:
The GBM TMA was constructed from 53 archival cases at Georgetown University Hospital and a TMA with normal brain controls and grades II-III astrocytoma was obtained from Cybrdi (Rockville, MD). TMA sections were stained with Id4 antibody and the slides were scored according to the percentage of staining astrocytic nuclei (<9% -, 10-50% +, >51% ++). The Fisher Exact test was used to test for statistical significance.
Results:
Nuclear staining for Id4 was seen in 73.58% GBMs, 25% grade III, and 12.5% grade II astrocytomas; staining was absent in normal brain tissue. There was a statistically significant difference between GBM and grades II, III astrocytoma (p <0.01). Significant Id4 expression was not detected in normal brain.
Conclusions:
Our study confirms the frequent upregulation of Id4 expression in GBM, which lends support to its role in tumorigenesis, possibly in the transformation of low to high-grade astrocytoma (i.e. GBM). Further studies are warranted to determine the precise role of Id4 in glial neoplasia and its potential use in targeted therapy for GBM.
Insights
Inhibitor of differentiation 4 (Id4) is upregulated in glioblastoma (GBM), suggesting a role in astrocytoma progression. This finding supports Id4 as a potential therapeutic target for brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular biology
- Cancer research
Background:
- The inhibitor of differentiation (Id) protein family regulates cell cycle and tumorigenesis.
- Id4 is crucial for neural stem cell differentiation and its deregulation is linked to glial tumors.
- The role of Id4 in astrocytomas requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential expression of Id4 in astrocytomas of varying grades.
- To assess the significance of Id4 expression in astrocytoma pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Tissue microarrays (TMA) from 53 glioblastoma (GBM) cases and controls were analyzed.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect Id4 protein expression in astrocytoma tissues.
- Statistical analysis, including Fisher Exact test, was performed to determine significance.
Main Results:
- Id4 nuclear staining was observed in 73.58% of GBMs, 25% of grade III, and 12.5% of grade II astrocytomas.
- Id4 expression was significantly higher in GBM compared to lower-grade astrocytomas (p <0.01).
- No significant Id4 expression was detected in normal brain tissue.
Conclusions:
- Frequent Id4 upregulation in GBM supports its role in astrocytoma tumorigenesis and progression.
- Id4 may be involved in the transformation of low-grade to high-grade astrocytomas.
- Further research is needed to elucidate Id4's precise role in glial neoplasia and its therapeutic potential.
