[Expression of nm23/NDPK, integrin, type IV collagenase and uPA in transplanted tumors with various metastatic potential in nude mice and surgical specimens].

OBJECTIVES

To observe the relationship between the metastasis of human lung carcinoma and the expressions of nm23/NDPK, integrins, type IV collagenase and uPA.

METHODS

By ABC immunohistochemical staining, we observed the expressions of nm23/NDPK, integrins, type IV collagenase and uPA in four strains of subcutaneous transplanted tumors and 87 surgical specimens for human lung carcinoma. The metastatic potential of four xenografts varied from low to high among PLA-801C, Anip973, PLA-801D, PLA-801DL. The effects of beta 1 antibody and the RGD peptide on the PLA-801DL xenograft were studied in the nude mice.

RESULTS

High expression of nm23/NDPK was observed in the four xenografts and specimens from the 87 patients. No association was found between expression of nm23/NDPK and lymph node metastasis. Low expressions of beta 1 subfamily integrins were observed in the four xenografts. beta 1 subunit antibody and RGD peptide had no effect on metastasis of PLA-801DL xenograft. The expressions of type IV collagenase were positively correlated with their metastatic capacity in the four xenografts and surgical specimens from the 87 patients. Anip973 and PLA-801D showed positive staining to uPA, while PLA-801DL and PLA-801C were negative.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of type IV collagenase is positively correlated with the metastatic capacity of lung carcinoma. Although high expression of nm23/NDPK, low expression of integrins, and various expression of uPA were observed, these were not correlated with metastatic capacity of lung carcinoma.