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The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
Published on: January 22, 2013
Expression of CD44 isoforms in human renal cell carcinomas
K H Heider1, M Ratschek, K Zatloukal
1Department of Cell Biology, Boehringer Ingelheim Research and Development, Vienna, Austria.
Summary
CD44 isoform expression differs significantly between clear cell and chromophilic renal cell carcinomas. Chromophilic types show minimal CD44 expression, unlike other cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion and signaling.
- CD44 isoforms are implicated in cancer progression and metastasis.
- Understanding CD44 expression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the expression patterns of various CD44 isoforms in different subtypes of renal cell carcinoma.
- To identify potential differences in CD44 expression between clear cell RCC, chromophilic RCC, oncocytomas, and normal kidney tissue.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of 27 clear cell RCCs, 4 oncocytomas, and 7 normal kidney parenchyma samples.
- Utilized eight CD44 isoform-specific monoclonal antibodies.
- Confirmed findings using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for CD44v6 expression.
Main Results:
- Normal kidney tissue showed CD44 isoform expression predominantly in distal tubules.
- Clear cell RCCs frequently expressed CD44 isoforms v5, v7/8, and v10, but lacked v6.
- Chromophilic RCCs were almost entirely devoid of CD44 expression, including CD44s.
Conclusions:
- Statistically significant differences exist in CD44 expression patterns between clear cell and chromophilic RCC subtypes.
- The absence of CD44 expression in chromophilic RCC contrasts sharply with its abundance in other cancers like stomach, breast, and lung.
