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Increased NDRG1 expression is associated with advanced T stages and poor vascularization in non-small cell lung
Chuifeng Fan1, Juanhan Yu, Yang Liu
1Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, 110001 Shenyang, China. fanchuifeng@yeah.net
Abstract:
N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is a member of the N-myc downstream regulated gene family which belongs to the alpha/beta hydrolase superfamily. Earlier studies have shown its association with inhibition of tumor metastasis. However, its function in malignant tumors is not fully enunciated. Recently there was increasing evidence that NDRG1 is involved in stress responses. In the current study, we examined the expression of NDRG1 and its correlation with clinicopathological factors and microvessel density (MVD) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using immunohistochemistry (IHC). NDRG1 expression in NSCLC (71/115, 61.7%) was higher than that in normal lung tissues (32/115, 27.8%) (p < 0.05). NDRG1 expression in NSCLC cells was found in cytoplasm (63/115, 54.8%), nuclear (24/115, 20.9%) and cell membrane (13/115, 11.3%). NDRG1 expression in NSCLC with advanced T stages (T2-4) (63/84, 75.0%) was significantly higher than that with T1 stage (8/31, 25.8%) (P < 0.05). No other clinicopathological factors including lymph node metastasis were found to be associated with NDRG1 expression (p > 0.05). Moreover increased NDRG1 expression was associated with lower MVD in NSCLC (P < 0.05). MVD in adenocarcinoma (33.4 ± 8.4/HP) was significantly higher than that in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (19.3 ± 8.1/HP) (P < 0.05). No other clinicopathological factors were associated with MVD in NSCLC (p > 0.05). The present findings indicate an increase of NDRG1 expression with the progress of tumour extent which may be due to unbalanced tumor oxygenation on account of poor vascularization in NSCLC.
Insights
N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) expression increases with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression and is linked to lower microvessel density. This suggests NDRG1 may play a role in tumor oxygenation and vascularization in NSCLC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is implicated in tumor metastasis and stress responses.
- Its precise role in malignant tumors, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate NDRG1 expression in NSCLC.
- To correlate NDRG1 expression with clinicopathological factors and microvessel density (MVD).
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess NDRG1 expression in NSCLC tissues and normal lung tissues.
- Clinicopathological factors and MVD were analyzed in relation to NDRG1 expression.
Main Results:
- NDRG1 expression was significantly higher in NSCLC (61.7%) compared to normal lung tissue (27.8%).
- Increased NDRG1 expression correlated with advanced T stages (T2-4) and lower MVD in NSCLC.
- Adenocarcinoma showed higher MVD than squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Conclusions:
- NDRG1 expression increases with NSCLC tumor progression.
- The observed association between higher NDRG1 and lower MVD suggests a potential role in tumor oxygenation and vascularization.
- NDRG1 may serve as a prognostic marker in NSCLC.
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