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Immunodetection of c-met-oncogene's protein product in renal cell neoplasia
L Nakopoulou1, C Vouriakou, E Papaliodi
1Dept. of Pathology, Medical School of Athens University, Greece. slazar@compulinkgr
Abstract:
The proto-oncogene c-met encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor and is expressed in normal kidney tissue. This receptor may be involved in the carcinogenesis of various organs. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between c-met immunohistochemical expression and pathological tumor variables in human renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and adenomas (RAs). Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues from 35 RCCs, 16 RAs and 17 normal kidneys were immunostained (Strept. ABC/HRP) with a polyclonal antibody against c-met protein (Santa Cruz, Clone C-12). The statistical analysis was performed using the linear trend in proportions and Fisher's exact test. C-met protein was detected in the cytoplasm and the plasma membranes of neoplastic cells in 19/35 RCCs (54%), 10/16 adenomas (63%) (p = 0.41) and in 17/17 controls in the epithelial cells of distal renal tubules and collecting ducts. C-met protein expression was not related with gender (p = 0.45), age (p = 0.18), tumor size (p = 0.99), cell type (p = 0.26), grade (p = 0.86) and stage (p = 0.33). Moreover, c-met immunopositive tumor cell percentage and intensity were increased in stage [RCCs, but these results were not statistically significant. Apart from glandular differentiation, c-met protein expression was not related to other histopathological features (i.e. to the type of cells or to any selective overexpression in tumor cells). C-met product may be involved in the malignant transformation of tubular epithelial cells as an early event in RCC carcinogenesis. C-met expression does not seem to have any prognostic significance for RCCs, as it was not associated with any pathological prognosticator.
Insights
C-met protein expression was detected in renal cell carcinomas and adenomas, but it did not correlate with tumor characteristics or prognosis. This suggests c-met may be involved in early renal cell carcinoma development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- The proto-oncogene c-met encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase for hepatocyte growth factor.
- c-met is expressed in normal kidney tissue and may play a role in carcinogenesis.
- Investigating c-met expression in renal tumors is crucial for understanding tumorigenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between c-met immunohistochemical expression and clinicopathological variables in human renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and adenomas (RAs).
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of c-met protein on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 35 RCCs, 16 RAs, and 17 normal kidneys.
- Statistical analysis using linear trend in proportions and Fisher's exact test.
Main Results:
- C-met protein was detected in 54% of RCCs, 63% of RAs, and 100% of normal kidney controls.
- No significant correlation was found between c-met expression and gender, age, tumor size, cell type, grade, or stage.
- While a trend of increased c-met expression in higher stages of RCC was observed, it was not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- C-met protein expression in RCCs and RAs is not associated with established prognostic factors.
- C-met may be involved in the early stages of renal cell carcinoma development.
- c-met expression lacks prognostic significance in renal cell carcinomas.