FRα在垂体腺瘤中的表达及其与无功能垂体腺瘤侵袭性的关系

摘要

Objective To investigate the expression of folate receptor alpha (FRa) in pituitary adenomas and assess it as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of nonfunctional pituitary adenomas (NF-PAs) and for the prediction of tumor behavior. Methods Sporadic pituitary tumor specimens ( n = 44) and normal pituitary glands ( n =3) were collected. FRa protein and mRNA expression were quantitive-ly examined using immunoiluorescence and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction techniques. The differential expression of FRa in pituitary adenomas and the associations of FRa expression with tumor invasiveness were examined. Statistical significance was tested using Student t test or one—way analysts of variance. Results FRa mRNA and protein was uniquely overexpressed in NFPA but not in functional adenomas Cadrenocorticotropic hormone,growth hormone, and prolactin) or normal adenohypophyseal tissues (P<.001). The expression of FRa was positively correlated with tumor invasiveness in NFPAs. Conclusions FRa may play an important role in the development and progression of NFPAs. Therefore, FRO may be useful as a potential molecular biomarker for the diagnosis of NFPAs and assessment of tumor invasiveness.%目的 检测叶酸受体α(FRα)在各型垂体腺瘤和正常腺垂体中的表达情况；寻找对无功能垂体腺瘤(NFPA)诊断及其侵袭性判断具有重要意义的分子生物学指标.方法 收集垂体腺瘤组织标本44例和正常腺垂体组织3例,利用免疫荧光共聚焦,实时定量反转录(real-time RT-PCR)方法检测FRα在各标本中的表达.结果 FRa仅在NFPA中特异性表达,在其他类型的垂体腺瘤和正常腺垂体中不表达,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.01)；FRa的表达水平与NFPA侵袭性存在显著相关性(P＜0.05).结论 FRα可能在NFPA的发生发展中起到重要的作用；同时FRα可能作为NFPA特异性的诊断指标,为肿瘤的靶向诊治提供理论基础.