Retrospective Study
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 7, 2014; 20(21): 6615-6619
Published online Jun 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i21.6615
Telomerase and hTERT: Can they serve as markers for gastric cancer diagnosis?
Yong-Bo Cheng, Li-Ping Guo, Ping Yao, Xiao-Yan Ning, Gulimire Aerken, Dian-Chun Fang
Yong-Bo Cheng, Ping Yao, Gulimire∙Aerken, Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
Li-Ping Guo, Xiao-Yan Ning, Dian-Chun Fang, Department of Gastroenterology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Author contributions: Fang DC designed and provided financial support for this work; Cheng YB conducted the study and wrote the manuscript; Guo LP and Ning XY provided technical support for this study; Yao P and Aerken G revised the manuscript.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30270609
Correspondence to: Dr. Dian-Chun Fang, Department of Gastroenterology , Southwest Hospital , Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyanzheng Road, Chongqing 400038, China. fangdianchun2012@163.com
Telephone: +86-23-68773055 Fax: +86-23-68773055
Received: November 30, 2013
Revised: February 23, 2014
Accepted: March 4, 2014
Published online: June 7, 2014
Abstract

AIM: To investigate telomerase activity and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression in normal human gastric mucosal epithelial cells (nhGMECs) and fibroblasts (nhGMFs).

METHODS: nhGMECs and nhGMFs were isolated and cultured from specimens obtained during routine surgery for bleeding peptic ulcer. Telomerase activity in nhGMFs, nhGMECs, and the tumor cell lines BGC-823, SGC-7901 and MKN-28 cells was analyzed using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay. hTERT protein was determined in nhGMECs, nhGMFs, BGC-823, SGC-7901 and MKN-28 cells by indirect immunofluorescence.

RESULTS: A similar level of telomerase activity was observed in nhGMECs, nhGMFs and BGC-823, SGC-7901, MKN-28 cell lines. Positive hTERT immunostaining was detected in nhGMECs, nhGMFs, BGC-823, SGC-7901 and MKN-28 cell lines.

CONCLUSION: The use of telomerase or hTERT as diagnostic markers for gastric cancer may require further studies.

Keywords: Gastric cancer, Telomerase, Human telomerase reverse transcriptase, Normal human gastric mucosal epithelial cell, Normal human gastric mucosal fibroblast

Core tip: Telomerase activity and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein expression were detected in normal human gastric mucosal epithelial cells isolated from human gastric tissues, and were similar to those found in cell lines from human gastric adenocarcinoma. The results of this study suggest that the use of telomerase or hTERT as diagnostic markers for gastric cancer may require further studies.