후두 편평세포병변에서 connexin 26의 발현 의의

Abstract

Background and Objectives : Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is a mechanism for direct cell to cell signalling and is mediated by gap junctions, which consist of transmembrane proteins called connexins (Cxs). The authors investigate the role of connexin 26 as a biomarker that helps diagnose laryngeal squamous cell lesions. Materials and Method : Paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 50 patients, who were diagnosed as laryngeal invasive squamous cell carcinoma (n=15), carcinoma in situ (n=10), dysplasia (n=15), and non-neoplastic epithelial hyperplasia (n=10) between 1993 and 2005, were immunohistochemically stained for connexin 26 protein. Results : Intracytoplasmic positive expression of connexin 26 was 100% in invasive squamous cell carcinoma and 20% in carcinoma in situ. However, in dysplasia and hyperplasia, positive expression was none. Moreover, majority of intercellular or membranous staining tended to decline in dyplasia, carcinoma in situ, and squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion : These results suggest that aberrant expression of connexin 26 in laryngeal squamous cell lesions can be associated with tumorigenesis and invasion. Further studies need to investigate these expression of connexin 26 may represent more aggressive pathology of the larynx. KEY WORDS : Connexin 26 · Larynx · Squamous cell lesions