[Expression of LMP2A, E-Cadherin and fibronectin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation(EMT) associated markers (E-cadherin and fibronectin) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its clinical significance.

METHOD

The expression of LMP2A, E-cad-herin and fibronectin proteins in 32 cases of chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation, 56 cases of NPC and 18 cases of NPC lymph node metastasis were examined byimmunohistochemical SP method.

RESULT

(1)The positive rates of LMP2A in NPC and its lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than those of chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation (89. 3%vs 37. 5%o and 77. 8% vs 37. 5%) respectively (both P<0. 01); The normal expression rates of E-cadherin in NPC and its lymph node metastasis were significantly lower than those of chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation (33. 9% vs 90. 6% and 5. 6% vs 90. 6%) respectively (both P<0. 01); The positive rates of fibronectin in NPC and its lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than those of chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation (83. 9% vs 28. 1% and 72. 2% vs 28. 1%) respectively (both P<0. 01). (2) ZLMP2A expression were negatively correlated with normal expression of E-cadherin (r= -0. 387, P<0. 01), and were positively correlated with fibronectin (r= 0. 421, P<0. 01). (3)LMP2A, E-cadherin and fibronectin expression were significantly correlated with N stage and clinical stage (both P<0. 05), but the three proteins were not significantly correlated with M stage (both P> 0. 05). In addition, LMP2A and E-cadherin expression were significantly correlated with T stage (both P<0. 01).

CONCLUSION

LMP2A and fibronectin expressions were increased in NPC, but normal expression of E-cadherin were decreased. LMP2A may promote lymph node metastasis and malignant progression of NPC by induce EMT through downregulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of fibronectin.