Tissue transglutaminase protein expression in human brain tumors / 中华病理学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate expression of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) protein and its role in carcinogenesis of brain tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>tTG protein was detected by immunohistochemical method in 62 astrocytomas, 18 oligodendrogliomas, 30 benign meningiomas, 30 pituitary adenomas and 10 normal brain tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) In brain tumors, tTG protein expression was heterogeneous locating in tumor and endothelial cells. (2) Immunoreactivity of tTG protein was significantly different between different grades of astrocytomas. (3) Expression intensity of tTG protein in glioma was higher than that in benign brain tumors. (4) Strong expression of tTG protein in tumor cell was obtained around the necrosis foci and apoptotic cells in astrocytomas.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>tTG protein expression contributed to tumor malignant progression in malignant brain tumors.</p>