The Expression Of Connexin 26,32,43 In Prostate Cancer And Their Significance

Objective:Gap junction intercellular communication is considered to play an important role in the control of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, the maintenance of homeostasis and morphogenesis. The abnormal expression of connexin is associated with the tumour proliferation and differentiation.This study was aimed at identifying the expression of Connexin 26(Cx26), Connexin 32(Cx32) and Connexin 43(Cx43) in specimens of prostate cancer(PCa) and benign prostatic hypertrophy(BPH) that might contribute to its oncogenic transformation. Using a statistic approach, the mutual relationship of the three factors and prostate biological behavior was analyzed. We expecpt that these proteins could provide an novel approach for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa.Methods:31 paraffin sections of PCa and 23 paraffin sections of BPH diagnosed were collected randomly between Jan 2006 and Aug 2009 from the Haikou Municipal Hospital. The age of patients, the values of their serum PSA, and histopathological features were retrieved too.Evaluating the expression of Cx26, Cx32 and Cx43 in 31 PCa and 23 BPH tissues by immunohistochemisty staining of SABC.PSA antibody and PBS antibody was devised to be the positive comparison and negative comparison, respectively. Semiquantitative analysis the mutual relationship of these proteins and prostate biological meaning.Results:(1) The positive expression of Cx26 was 82.6% in BPH and 74.2% in PCa(χ2=0.541, P>0.05); Cx32 was 78.3% in BPH and 61.3% in PCa(χ2=1.763, P>0.05); Cx43 was 87% in BPH and 38.7% in PCa, the positive expression of Cx43 was strongly decreased in PCa (χ2=12.73,P<0.001).(2) The staining intensity of Cx26 was negative correlated with the malignant phenotype of PCa (γ=-0.476, P<0.001); The staining intensity of Cx43 was negative correlated with the malignant phenotype of PCa (γ=-0.484, P<0.001); There was no correlation between the Cx26 expression and the malignant phenotype of PCa (y=-0.242, P>0.05).(3) There was no correlation of the three Cxs with the patients'age and serum PSA (P>0.05).(4) There was no correlation among the three Cxs and the expression of PSA in prostate specimens (P>0.05).Conclusions:(1) The three Cxs were expressed in different levels in BPH and PCa specimens.(2) There was no correlation among the three Cxs, ages, serum PSA and the expression of PSA in BPH and PCa specimens.(3) Certifying the specificity of Cx43 in PCa, which played an important role in the occurrence and progress of PCa, it could be a new marker of PCa besides PSA and serve as a target point in the biotherapy of PCa.(4) Cx26 played partial role in the progress of PCa, but it's mechanism should be studied further.