Expression of neural cell adhesive molecule in human brain astrocytoma / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the expression of neural cell adhesive molecule (NCAM) and its clinical significance in human astrocytoma. Methods: Expression of NCAM mRNA and its protein (CD56) were detected by in situ hybridization using NCAM antisense complementary RNA probe and by immunohistochemical staining in 40 cases of astrocytoma. Results:Expression of NCAM mRNA and CD56 in 1, 2 grade astrocytoma was significantly higher than that in 3, 4 grade astrocytoma. The expression of NCAM mRNA accorded with the expression of CD56. Conclusion: Expression of NCAM mRNA and CD56 is correlated with the malignant degree of astrocytoma. The high expression of NCAM may be correlated with invasion and metastasis of astrocytomas. It is suggested that the expression of NCAM may be an important clue in assessment of malignancy and invasion of astrocytoma, and it may be a guide for the choice of post operation therapy.