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Kinetic aspects of Ki-67 antigen expression in a normal cell line
R J Littleton1, G M Baker, I N Soomro
1Department of Morbid Anatomy, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, Denmark Hill, London, England.
Insights
The Ki-67 antigen
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunohistology
Background:
- The Ki-67 antigen is a common marker for cell proliferation.
- Its utility in measuring tumor growth fraction is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of Ki-67 antigen expression during cell cycle modifications.
- To assess the reliability of Ki-67 as a proliferation marker in dynamic cell populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a normal human fetal cell line.
- Employed immunohistological techniques to track Ki-67 antigen.
- Manipulated cell cycle using serum deprivation, desferrioxamine, and cycloheximide.
Main Results:
- Serum deprivation caused Ki-67 antigen loss within 24 hours, with reappearance upon growth resumption.
- Desferrioxamine-induced S-phase arrest allowed temporary Ki-67 reappearance.
- Cycloheximide inhibited protein synthesis, leading to Ki-67 antigen fading and loss.
Conclusions:
- Ki-67 antigen expression is highly sensitive to cell cycle status and protein synthesis.
- Caution is advised when using Ki-67 to assess proliferation in dynamic cell populations like tumors.
Abstract:
Using a normal cell line derived from a human fetus, the disappearance and reappearance of the Ki-67-reactive antigen following modification of the cell cycle was observed and estimated immunohistologically. It was found that G1/G0 arrest induced by serum deprivation resulted in loss of the antigen in 24 h in all but a few (usually less than 10%) of cells. Return to normal medium and resumption of growth was accompanied by reappearance in 30 h. When entry into S-phase was prevented by desferrioxamine, reappearance of the antigen still occurred but only lasted for about 24 h. Inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide also caused fading and eventual loss of immunostaining. In view of the ease with which this antigen becomes undetectable with cessation of protein synthesis and interruption of the cell cycle, we agree with those who advise caution in the use of Ki-67 to measure growth fraction in changeable cell populations such as tumours.
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