Chandler D, el-Naggar A K, Brisbay S, Redline R W, McDonnell T J
Department of Molecular Pathology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
Hum Pathol. 1994 Aug;25(8):789-96. doi: 10.1016/0046-8177(94)90248-8.
bcl-2 was identified as a transcript associated with the t(14;18) and imparts resistance to apoptotic cell death. bcl-2 is normally expressed in many tissues and exhibits remarkable structural and functional conservation. Using immunohistochemical and in situ DNA labeling techniques we examined the localization of bcl-2 in the developing human kidney. bcl-2 expression was rapidly upregulated in the induced metanephrogenic mesenchymal cells that differentiate into renal vesicles and nephrons. bcl-2 expression was undetectable in uninduced mesenchyme and in the renal ampullae and associated collecting system. The distribution of apoptotic cells within the developing kidney was inversely correlated with expression of bcl-2. The localization of bcl-2 protein in the adult human kidney also was examined. bcl-2 was expressed at high levels in all renal neoplasms examined providing a potential basis for the deregulation of apoptosis in the development and progression of these tumors.
