Expression of Foxp3 and TLR4 in human papillary thyroid carcinoma and its clinical significance

This study aimed to explore the association of Foxp3 and TLR4 with clinical pathological characteristics in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Methods 78 cases of PTC were used as experimental group and 20 cases of normal thyroid tissue were used as control group. The expression of Foxp3 and TLR4 in thyroid tissue from the two groups was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the experimental group was divided into several groups on the basis of different clinicopathological indicators. The association between Foxp3 and TLR4 expression and clinicopathological parameters was statistically analyzed. Results Foxp3 and TLR4 were expressed in higher levels in PTC than in normal thyroid tissue (P<0.05). Foxp3 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of PTC cells, while TLR4 was found in the cytoplasm and cell membrane of cancer cells. The expression of both proteins associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM clinical stage (P<0.05). The expression of Foxp3 correlated with the expression of TLR4 in tested PTC tissues (P<0.05). In addition, the result of confocal fluorescence microscopy showed that Foxp3 and TLR4 co-localized in PTC cells. Conclusion Foxp3 and TLR4 were upregulated and associated with lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage in PTC tissues. Together they may act as valuable factors for the identification of high-risk PTC patients.