ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of integrin β4 expression on the metastasis potential of human thyroid follicular cancer cells. Methods Metastasis potential was observed and grouped in human thyroid follicular cancer cell line, CGTHW-1 cells, depending on the cells' penetrating ability in artificial matrigel. The expression of integrin β4 mRNA and protein were determined by immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and semiquantitative RT-PCR. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of integrin β4 were significantly higher in cells with high metastasis potential [0.277 5 ±0.034 0 vs 0. 187 5 ±0.022 2 ( Immunohistochemistry ), 0. 099 7 ± 0.0185 vs 0.039 0±0.010 2(Western blot), 0.555 0±0. 101 2 vs 0.270 0±0.029 9(RT-PCR), all P＜0.01]. Conclusion Integrin β4 may play an important role in human thyroid cancer invasion. It seems probably to be a potential target for human thyroid cancer treatment.