ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the putative role of CD40 and COX-2 expression in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and to analyze their possible relationship with angiogenesis in ESCC.Methods:The expression of CD40 and COX-2 was detected in 79 ESCC and 28 normal esophageal epithelial tissue samples with immunohistochemical staining.The microvessel density by CD34 was determined and the clinicopathological significance of CD40 and COX-2 expression in ESCC was analyzed.In addition,the expression of CD40 and COX-2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line Eca109 and primary cultured normal esophageal epithelial cells in vivo was comparatively studied with immunocytochemical staining andWestern blot.Results:Compared with that in normal epithelial tissues,the expression of CD40 and COX-2 in ESCC was significantly higher(54.43%vs 10.71%:69.62%vs 17.86%:respectively,P<0.05).The positive expression rate of CD40 in ESCC cases with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that in those without lymph node metastasis(70.37%vs 46.1 5%.P<0.05).No correlation was found between CD40 expression and patient age,sex,tumor location,size and differentiation of tumors.No clinicopathological significanca of COX-2 expression in ESCC was found.There was a positive correlation between CD40 expression and COX-2 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(P<0.05,φ=0.446).The mean MVD value in ESCC was significantly higher than that in normal esophageal tissue(25.02±5.52 vs 12.09±4.55,P<0.05).MVD value in ESCC was closely correlated with lymph node metastasis.The mean MVD value in ESCC cases with positive CD40 and COX-2 expression was higher than that in those with negative CD40 and COX-2expression(26.37±6.02 vs 22.58±5.25.P<0.05).Western blot results showed that CD40 and COX-2 expression in Eca109 was higher than that in cultured normal esophageal epithelial cells (P<0.05).Conclusion:The expression of CD40 is involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.CD40 may play an important role in the angiogenesis of ESCC through promoting COX-2 expression.