Thymosin ß4 expression in colorectal polyps and adenomas.

OBJECTIVE: Thymosin beta 4 (Tß4) is a ubiquitous peptide that plays pivotal roles in the cytoskeletal system and in cell differentiation. Recently, a role for Tß4 has been proposed in experimental and human carcinogenesis, including gastrointestinal cancer. This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between Tß4 immunoreactivity and the initial steps of carcinogenesis. METHODS: In total, 60 intestinal biopsies, including 10 hyperplastic polyps, 10 sessile serrated adenomas/polyps, 15 colorectal adenomas with low-grade dysplasia, 15 adenomas with high-grade dysplasia, 15 adenocarcinomas and 10 samples of normal colon mucosa, were analyzed for Tß4 expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Weak cytoplasmic reactivity for Tß4 was detected in the normal colon mucosa. No reactivity for Tß4 was found in hyperplastic and sessile serrated polyps/adenomas. Tß4 expression was observed in 10/15 colorectal adenocarcinomas. In adenomas with low-grade dysplasia, Tß4 immunoreactivity was mainly detected in dysplastic glands but was absent in hyperplastic glands. Tß4 immunoreactivity was characterized by spot-like perinuclear staining. In high-grade dysplastic polyps, immunostaining for Tß4 appeared diffuse throughout the entire cytoplasm of dysplastic cells. Spot-like perinuclear reactivity was detected in adenocarcinoma tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows for the first time that Tß4 is expressed during different steps of colon carcinogenesis. The shift of Tß4 immunolocalization from low-grade to high-grade dysplastic glands suggests a role for Tß4 in colorectal carcinogenesis. However, the real meaning of Tß4 reactivity in dysplastic intestinal epithelium remains unknown.