Abstract |
Apoptosis plays a crucial role in the regulation of spermatogenesis in male germ cells and is, at least in part, modulated by Bcl-2, Bax, and the Fas pathway. Seminomas have a favourable outcome and respond to radio-/ chemotherapy with an increased rate of apoptosis. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Fas and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) in human seminoma was evaluated and correlated with the apoptotic index. Twenty-nine classical seminomas were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting using antibodies against Bax, Bcl-2, Fas and Fas-L. Apoptosis was detected by in-situ end-labeling of fragmented DNA and the apoptotic index (AI) was determined. Expression of Fas was found in 26 (89.7%) of Fas-L in 24 seminomas (82.2%); none of the tumours expressed Bcl-2. No correlation between the AI and Fas, Fas-L or Bcl-2 expression was found. Bax was demonstrated in 20/29 tumours (69%). Bax-positive tumours showed an increased AI of 4.75 +/- 2.38% in contrast to 2.60 +/- 1.23% of the Bax-negative tumours (P = 0.002). The number of Bax-positive tumour cells and apoptotic cells revealed a significant correlation using chi2-test (P = 0.04) and linear regression (r = 0.54, P = 0.001). Therefore, Bax seems to play a determinant role in the modulation of apoptosis in human seminoma that may be linked to a favourable outcome.
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Authors | Rainer Grobholz, Hanswalter Zentgraf, Kai-Uwe Köhrmann, Uwe Bleyl |
Journal | APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica
(APMIS)
Vol. 110
Issue 10
Pg. 724-32
(Oct 2002)
ISSN: 0903-4641 [Print] Denmark |
PMID | 12583439
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- BAX protein, human
- FASLG protein, human
- Fas Ligand Protein
- Membrane Glycoproteins
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
- bcl-2-Associated X Protein
- fas Receptor
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Topics |
- Adult
- Apoptosis
- Fas Ligand Protein
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Membrane Glycoproteins
(metabolism)
- Middle Aged
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins
(metabolism)
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
(metabolism)
- Seminoma
(immunology, metabolism, pathology)
- Testicular Neoplasms
(immunology, metabolism, pathology)
- bcl-2-Associated X Protein
- fas Receptor
(metabolism)
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