Author/Editor		Luzar, B; Poljak, M; Coer, A; Klopčič, U; Ferlan-Marolt, V
Title		Expression of human telomerase catalytic protein in gallbladder carcinogenesis
Type		članek
Source		J Clin Pathol
Vol. and No.		Letnik 58
Publication year		2005
Volume		str. 820-5
Language		eng
Abstract		Background: Telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) gene re-expression is a rate limiting step for the activity of telomerase, a key enzyme implicated in cellular immortalisation and transformation. Aims: To determine the potentia) role of hTERT protein in gallbladder carcinogenesis. Material/Methods: hTERT protein was analysed by means of immunohistochemistry in 89 gallbladder tissue samples: 16 normal epithelia, 14 reactive hyperplasias, 15 low grade dysplasias, 16 high grade dysplasias, and 28 adenocarcinomas. At (east 200 nuclei were assessed for each slide and the mean number of positive signals for each nucleus was expressed as the hTERT index. Results: The mean hTERT index increased progressively with the degree of gallbladder epithelial abnormalities: from 0.03 in normal epithelia, 0.04 in hyperplastic epithelia, 0.25 in low grade dysplasia, 0.82 in high grade dysplasia, to 0.93 in adenocarcinoma. Statistical analysis revealed that three different groups of gallbladder epithelial changes can be distinguished according to the number of hTERT signals for each nucleus: (1) normal and regenerative gallbladder epithelium, (2) low grade dysplasia, and (3) high grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The occasional presence of hTERT protein in normal and regenerative gallbladder mucosa reflects their regenerative capacity. Nevertheless, significantly higher hTERT indices in low and high grade dysplastic epithelia and in gallbladder adenocarcinomas are probably a consequence of hTERT reexpression-an early event in the multistep process of gallbladder carcinogenesis.
Descriptors		GALLBLADDER NEOPLASMS TELOMERASE CATALYSIS ADENOCARCINOMA IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY NEOPLASM STAGING CHOLECYSTECTOMY RETROSPECTIVE STUDIES