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Plasminogen activators in oesophageal carcinoma
D F Hewin1, P B Savage, D Alderson
1University Department of Surgery, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.
The British Journal of Surgery
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor are elevated in esophageal carcinoma, suggesting a role in extracellular matrix degradation. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) levels were altered, while PAI-1 remained unchanged.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The plasminogen activator system regulates extracellular matrix degradation.
- Dysregulation of this system is implicated in cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of plasminogen activator system components in esophageal carcinoma.
- To determine the role of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in invasive esophageal carcinoma.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure antigen levels.
- Tumor and normal mucosa samples from resected esophageal carcinomas were analyzed.
- Expression levels of uPA, uPA receptor, tPA, PAI-1, and PAI-2 were quantified.
Main Results:
- Median levels of uPA and uPA receptor were significantly higher in both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma compared to normal mucosa.
- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) levels were lower in squamous cell carcinoma but not in adenocarcinoma.
- PAI-2 levels were significantly lower in adenocarcinoma compared to normal mucosa.
Conclusions:
- Elevated membrane-bound uPA expression in esophageal carcinoma supports its role in extracellular matrix breakdown.
- The plasminogen activator system components show differential expression patterns in esophageal carcinoma subtypes.
- These findings highlight potential therapeutic targets within the plasminogen activator system for esophageal cancer.