ABSTRACT
Purpose To investigate the expression of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and hypoxia inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α),cathepsin D (CTSD) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters.Methods 120 specimens of primary ESCC and their clinical data were collected.Dual staining of CD34 and PAS were performed to validate the existence of VM in ESCC.Immunohistochemical of EnVision two-step method was used to detect the expression of VM-related markers vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) and vascular endothelial grow factor (VEGF),HIF-1α and CTSD in 120 cases of ESCC.The relationship between HIF-1α,CTSD and clinical pathological parameters were analyzed.Results The positive rate of HIF-1α,CTSD was correlated with infilatrating,lymph node metastasis,clinical stage and cancer embolus.VM existed in 25 of 120 cases.The expression of HIF-1α and CTSD in cases with VM was obviously higher than that without VM,the expression of HIF-1 α and CTSD was positively correlated with VM in ESCC.The expression of CTSD in case with HIF-1 α was obviously lower than that without HIF-1α,the expression of CTSD was positively correlated with HIF-1α in ESCC.The expression of VE-cadherin and VEGF in cases with CTSD was obviously higher than that without CTSD,the level of VE-cadherin and VEGF expression was positively correlated with CTSD in ESCC.Conclusion CTSD may promote VM formation in ESCC via HIF-1α.High expression of HIF-1α and CTSD indicate poor prognosis of ESCC patients.