Notch1 Expression In Cervical Cancer And Its Relationship With HPV Infection

OBJECTIVE: Notch1 signaling is associated with tumorigenesis. This study was carried out to investigate the putative role of Notchi receptor in the cervical cancer carcinogenesis and progression. Since human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause in the development of cervical cancer, the interaction between Notchi and HPV infection was examined. In addition, we also discussed the potentials of using Notchi as an early diagnostic marker and possible therapeutic target for cervical cancer.Methods: The expression of Notchi protein was analyzed by Western-blotting approach in 40 cervical cancer and 30 normal cervical tissues, some of which were examined using RT-PCR for determing mRNA levels. Celluar localization of Notchi protein in the paraffin-embedded cervical tissues was also analyzed by immunohistochemistry using the antibody to Notchi. All the samples were examined for the existence of HPV16 DNA by PCR. Through the analysis of HPV infection rate, the relationship between Notchi receptor and HPV in carcinogenesis of cervical cancer was characterized.Results: Notchi protein was detected in all 30 normal cervical tissues. In contrast, only 6 samples of 40 cervical cancer tissues had the Notchi expression. The level of Notchi protein expression was significantly lower in cervical cancer tissues than that in normal tissue samples. In agreement with these observations, levels of Notchi mRNA were found to be substantially down-regulated in cercical cancer tissues. Inimmunohistochemistry staining assay, Notchi protein was showed to localize predominantly at the cytoplasm and nucleus in the...