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Updated: May 27, 2026
Multiplexed Immunofluorescence Analysis and Quantification of Intratumoral PD-1+ Tim-3+ CD8+ T Cells
Published on: February 8, 2018
Expression of programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4) and miR-21 in urothelial carcinoma
Nicolas Fischer1, Friederike Göke, Vera Splittstösser
1Department of Urology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. simplissimus@gmx.de
Background:
We investigated the role of the programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) tumor suppressor gene in specimens of transitional cell carcinoma and of healthy individuals.
Methods:
PDCD4 immunohistochemical expression was investigated in 294 cases in histologically proven transitional cell carcinoma in different tumorous stages (28 controls, 122 non-muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma, stages Tis-T1, 119 invasive transitional cell carcinoma stages T2-T4 and 25 metastases). MiR-21 expression, an important PDCD4 regulator, was assessed with real-time PCR analysis and showed inverse correlation to tissue PDCD4 expression.
Results:
Nuclear and cytoplasmatic PDCD4 immunostaining decreased significantly with histopathological progression of the tumor (p<0001). Controls showed strong nuclear and cytoplasmatic immunohistochemical staining. MiR-21 up regulation in tissue corresponded to PDCD4 suppression.
Conclusions:
These data support a decisive role for PDCD4 down regulation in transitional cell carcinoma and confirm miR-21 as a negative regulator for PDCD4. Additionally, PDCD4 immunohistochemical staining turns out to be a possible diagnostic marker for transitional cell carcinoma.
Insights
Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) expression decreases in transitional cell carcinoma, correlating with tumor progression. MiR-21 upregulation suppresses PDCD4, suggesting PDCD4 staining as a potential diagnostic marker.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Urothelial Carcinomas
Background:
- Investigated the role of the programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) tumor suppressor gene.
- Examined PDCD4 expression in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and healthy controls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of PDCD4 in TCC development and progression.
- To assess the correlation between PDCD4 and miR-21 expression in TCC.
- To evaluate PDCD4 immunohistochemical staining as a potential diagnostic marker for TCC.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed PDCD4 immunohistochemical expression in 294 TCC cases across various stages (Tis-T4, metastases) and 28 controls.
- Assessed miR-21 expression using real-time PCR.
- Correlated PDCD4 and miR-21 expression levels.
Main Results:
- PDCD4 nuclear and cytoplasmic immunostaining significantly decreased with tumor progression (p<0.001).
- Healthy controls exhibited strong PDCD4 staining.
- Upregulated miR-21 expression inversely correlated with PDCD4 expression, indicating PDCD4 suppression.
Conclusions:
- PDCD4 downregulation plays a critical role in transitional cell carcinoma.
- miR-21 acts as a negative regulator of PDCD4.
- PDCD4 immunohistochemical staining shows promise as a diagnostic marker for TCC.
