Expression of Survivin, PTEN and its relationship with cell apoptosis in brain astrocytomas

Objective To investigate the cell apoptosis and the expression level of its related gene Survivin, PTEN. Methods Apoptotic cells and bodies were detected by TUNEL. Immunohistocbemical stains were performed to examine the expression of Survivin, PTEN and Ki-67. The software package SPSS 10.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results The Survivin positive rate in 73 tumors was 64.4 %, and there was significant negative correlation between Survivin weighted score and AI (r=-0.85,P<0.01). The mean AI of survivin-positive tumors was lower than that of Survivin-ncgative tumors(P=0.035). The PTEN positive rate in 73 tumors was 72.6 %, there was positive correlation between PTEN weighted score and AI (P=0.026). The mean AI of PTEN-positive tumors was higher than that of PTEN-negative tumors (P=0.034). There was significant negative correlation between AI and pathological grade and positive correlation between PI and pathological grade(r=-0.432, P=0.001, r=0.729, P<0.01). Conclusion Cell apoptosis was affected by some factors. AI was associated with the expression of Survivin and PTEN. Key words: Brain neoplasms; Apoptosis; Cell proliferation; Survivin; PTEN