Immunohistochemical expression of Ets-1 transcription factor and the urokinase-type plasminogen activator is correlated with the malignant and invasive potential in meningiomas.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The Ets-1 transcription factor has been proposed to play an important role in the invasive process of tumor cells through the induction of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA).

METHODS:

Because meningiomas are potentially invasive tumors, irrespective of their malignancy grades, the authors immunohistochemically investigated Ets-1 and u-PA expression in tissues obtained from 50 benign (16 meningotheliomatous, 14 fibrous, 13 transitional, 6 angiomatous, and 1 microcystic), 4 atypical, and 6 anaplastic meningiomas and correlated their results with the malignancy and invasive potential.

RESULTS:

Ets-1 protein was expressed in 19 of the benign meningiomas (38%)whereas 31 (62%) were u-PA positive. The percentage of positive cells frequently was < 50%. In contrast, Ets-1 and u-PA expression was observed in all 4 atypical (100%) and all 6 anaplastic (100%) cases, respectively. The proportion of cells positive for Ets-1 and u-PA frequently were > or = 50%. A significant difference was observed between Ets-1 and u-PA expression in benign and high grade meningiomas (P < 0.0001). Moreover, Ets-1 expression was found to correlate significantly with u-PA positivity in meningiomas (P < 0.0001). Twenty-one of 60 meningioma cases (35%) showed infiltration either to the brain, dura mater, or bone. Eighteen of these 21 cases (85.7%) were positive for Ets-1 and u-PA. Ets-1 and u-PA positivity was found to correlate well with the invasive phenotype in meningiomas (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings of the current study support the possibility that the Ets-1 transcription factor, through u-PA induction, may be involved in the invasive process in meningiomas.

• Authors: G Kitange, K Tsunoda, T Anda, S Nakamura, A Yasunaga, S Naito, S Shibata
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 89 Issue 11 Pg. 2292-300 (Dec 01 2000) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 11147600 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• ETS1 protein, human
• Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
• Transcription Factors
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Topics

• Blotting, Western
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Meningeal Neoplasms (enzymology, metabolism, pathology)
• Meningioma (enzymology, metabolism, pathology)
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Phenotype
• Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (biosynthesis)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
• Transcription Factors (biosynthesis)
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (biosynthesis)