Brief Article
Copyright ©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2013; 19(39): 6637-6644
Published online Oct 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i39.6637
Expression and significance of Musashi-1 in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions
Rong-Guang Kuang, Yan Kuang, Qing-Feng Luo, Cheng-Jun Zhou, Rui Ji, Jian-Wen Wang
Rong-Guang Kuang, Jian-Wen Wang, Department of Health Care, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
Yan Kuang, Laiwu Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Laiwu 271100, Shandong Province, China
Qing-Feng Luo, Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Hospital, Ministry of Health, Beijing 100730, China
Cheng-Jun Zhou, Department of Pathology, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, Shandong Province, China
Rui Ji, Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
Author contributions: Kuang RG and Luo QF designed the research; Kuang RG, Kuang Y, Ji R, Wang JW and Zhou CJ performed the research; Zhou CJ was responsible for the histological analysis; Kuang RG, Kuang Y, Luo QF and Ji R analyzed the data; Kuang RG wrote the manuscript.
Supported by Jinan Science and Technology Bureau for Independent Innovation Projects of Universities and Research Institutes in Jinan city, China, No. 201102060
Correspondence to: Qing-Feng Luo, MD, Vice Professor, Vice Chief, Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Hospital, Ministry of Health, Dahua Rd.1#, DongDan, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China. luoqf2000@126.com
Telephone: +86-10-85137956 Fax: +86-10-85137956
Received: August 14, 2013
Revised: September 26, 2013
Accepted: September 29, 2013
Published online: October 21, 2013
Abstract

AIM: To investigate expression of stem cell marker Musashi-1 (Msi-1) in relationship to tumorigenesis and progression of intestinal-type gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS: Endoscopic biopsy specimens and surgical specimens were obtained, including 54 cases of intestinal-type GC, 41 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 57 low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 31 intestinal metaplasia, and 36 normal gastric mucosa. Specimens were fixed in 10% paraformaldehyde, conventionally dehydrated, embedded in paraffin, and sliced in 4-μm-thick serial sections. Two-step immunohistochemical staining was used to detect Msi-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. Correlation analysis was conducted between Msi-1 and PCNA expression. The relationship between Msi-1 expression and clinicopathological parameters of GC was analyzed statistically.

RESULTS: There were significant differences in Msi-1 and PCNA expression in different pathological tissues (χ2 = 15.37, P < 0.01; χ2 = 115.36, P < 0.01). Msi-1 and PCNA-positive cells were restricted to the isthmus of normal gastric glands. Expression levels of Msi-1 and PCNA in intestinal metaplasia were significantly higher than in normal mucosa (U = 392.0, P < 0.05; U = 40.50, P < 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference compared to low or high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. Msi-1 and PCNA expression in intestinal-type GC was higher than in high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (U = 798.0, P < 0.05; U = 688.0, P < 0.01). There was a significantly positive correlation between Msi-1 and PCNA expression (rs = 0.20, P < 0.01). Msi-1 expression in GC tissues was correlated with their lymph node metastasis and tumor node metastasis stage (χ2 = 12.62, P < 0.01; χ2 = 11.24, P < 0.05), but not with depth of invasion and the presence of distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION: Msi-1-positive cells may play a key role in the early events of gastric carcinogenesis and may be involved in invasion and metastasis of GC.

Keywords: Musashi-1, Stem cells, Gastric cancer, Precancerous lesions, Immunohistochemistry.

Core tip: Gastric cancer (GC) is currently thought to be a disease originating in stem cells. We detected expression of stem cell marker Musashi-1 (Msi-1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in intestinal-type GC and precancerous lesions. Expression of Msi-1 and PCNA in precancerous lesions was significantly higher than in normal mucosa, but lower than in intestinal-type GC. Msi-1 expression in GC tissues was correlated with lymph node metastasis and tumor node metastasis stage. These results suggest that expansion of Msi-1-positive cells is an early event in gastric carcinogenesis and may be involved in invasion and metastasis of GC.