The expression of GSTP1 in the filum terminale of children with tethered cord syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the filum terminale (FT) of children with tethered cord syndrome (TCS) and aborted fetuses without neurological disorders in order to investigate the expression of significantly differentially expressed proteins in the FT under both pathological and physiological conditions.

METHODS

According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 35 FT samples were selected, and the samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry and H&E staining. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

One out of 7 FTs in the aborted fetus group had fibrotic changes, 10 out of 14 FTs in the tethered cord (TC) group had fibrotic changes, and 14 out of 14 FTs in the TCS group had fibrotic changes. Most of the elastic fibers were missing and the degree of fibrotic changes was most severe in the TCS group, while the FTs in the TC group and the fetal group mainly showed only mild fibrosis. There were 10 cases (71.4%) showing strong expression of glutathione-S-transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1) in the TCS group, 8 cases (57.1%) of GSTP1 expression in children with TC, and 1 case (14.3%) of GSTP1 expression in the aborted fetus group.

CONCLUSIONS

In the TCS group, the FTs showed fibrotic changes, disorder, and increased adipose tissue, and most of the lesions were considered severe. The expression of GSTP1 was highest in the TCS group.