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Expression of CD44 splice variants in human transitional cell carcinoma
S Takada1, M Namiki, K Matsumiya
1Department of Urology, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
European Urology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Abnormal CD44 splice variants are significantly increased in transitional cell carcinoma, detected using RT-PCR. This finding may aid in diagnosing bladder cancer alongside other methods.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- CD44 is a cell adhesion molecule, a surface glycoprotein primarily found in lymphoid tissues.
- Abnormal variants of CD44, including alternatively spliced large molecular variants, have been identified in neoplastic tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the variation in CD44 molecule size in transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) and normal transitional epithelial tissues.
- To assess the diagnostic potential of CD44 splice variants in TCC detection.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to analyze CD44 expression.
- Electrophoresis and Southern blot hybridization were used to determine the molecular size of CD44 variants.
- Urine sediments were also analyzed for the presence of CD44 splice variants.
Main Results:
- CD44 splice variants with large molecular size were expressed in 92.0% of tumor tissues (23/25).
- Only 9.1% of normal tissues (1/11) expressed these abnormal variants.
- CD44 splice variants were detected in urine sediments of 71.4% of patients (5/7).
Conclusions:
- CD44 splice variants are markedly increased in human transitional cell carcinoma.
- RT-PCR detection of CD44 splice variants is a convenient molecular technique.
- This detection method may be valuable for diagnosing TCC when used with cytology, flow cytometry, and tumor antigens.