Research Of Cx43、E-cadherin、PI3K And CTGF Proteins In Choroidal Melanoma

AIM:To investigate the expression of factors related to invation and metastasis in Choroidal Melanoma and to determine their relationships with malignant features.Methods:The expression of Connexin43(Cx43), epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), phosphatidylinositol3-kinase(PI3K)and Connective Tissue Growth Factor(CTGF)in Choroidal Melanoma and nevi were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the correlations with clinicopathological features were analyzed.Results:Positive rates of Cx43, E-cadherin, PI3K and CTGF were74.07%(20/27),44.4%(12/27),74.07%(20/27) and66.67%(18/27) respectively, in Choroidal Melanoma tissues and33.33%(5/15),86.67%(13/15),33.33%(5/15) and20.00%(3/15), respectively, in nevi tissues, with significant differences between the two groups(x2=5.060, P=0.024;χ2=5.490, P=0.019;χ2=5.060, P=0.024; χ2=6.637, P=0.010). The expression rates of Cx43protein were respectively40%(4/10),88.89%(8/9) and100%(8/8) in spindle, mixed and epithelioid cell type, and their expression were related to histological type(χ2=9.874, P=0.007). The expression rates of PI3K protein were respectively42.86%(3/7),75%(9/12) and100%(8/8) in small, medium and large tumor, and their expression were related to tumor size(χ2=6.357, P=0.042). Positive rates of Cx43, E-cadherin, PI3K and CTGF were50%(6/12),83.33%(10/12),50%(6/12) and41.66%(5/12), respectively, in Choroidal Melanoma tissues without sclera invasion and93.33%(14/15),40%(6/15),93.33%(14/15) and86.67%(13/15), respectively, in Choroidal Melanoma tissues with violation involved the sclera. There were significant differences between the two groups (χ2=4.457, P=0.016;χ2=3.546, P=0.028; χ2=4.457, P=0.016; χ2=4.218, P=0.019).Conclusion:The increased expression of Cx43, PI3K and CTGF the decreased expression of E-cadherin are involved in the processes of invasion and metastasis of Choroidal Melanoma. These proteins may play an important role in the development of Choroidal Melanoma.