Expression and significance of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in human gliomas.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression and clinical significance of urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) in human gliomas.

METHODS

mRNA and protein expressions of uPA were examined by Northern blot hybridization and immunohistochemical method in 43 cases of gliomas and 5 cases of normal brain tissues and their relationship to clinical indexes was comprehensively analyzed.

RESULTS

All tissues expressed the 2.5 kb transcript of uPA mRNA. The uPA mRNA level in high-grade gliomas was considerably higher than that in low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues (P < 0.01). Levels of uPA mRNA expression in tumor tissues with recurrence during 18 postoperative months and a survival period less than 3 years, were significantly higher than counterparts (P < 0.01). uPA mRNA expression was strongly correlated with the microvessel quantity (MVQ) in gliomas (r = 0.56, P < 0.01). uPA protein was mainly distributed in tumor cells and endothelial cells of glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas.

CONCLUSION

Expression of uPA is associated with the malignant progression, invasion and angiogenesis of gliomas, and it may play a critical role in the recurrence and prognosis of gliomas.