Expression and correlation analysis of P27~(kip1) and P16 proteins in human glioma

Objective To investigate the altered expressions of P27kip1 and P16 proteins as related to the development of brain stem glioma. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect 31 specimens of brain stem glioma with various pathological grading and 5 of normal brain tissues. Results The positive expression rates of P16 and P27kip1 protein in low (Ⅰ and Ⅱ) and high (Ⅲ and Ⅳ) pathological grades were 88% vs 35%, and 75% vs 22%, respectively, with significant differences in expressions of both proteins between grades (P0.05). Expressions of P16 and P27kip1 protein were negatively correlated with pathological grading (r=-0.483, P0.01; r=-0.521, P0.01), with less expressions in highly malignant tumors. Besides, there was a significant correlation between expression of P27kip1 and P16 proteins in glioma (P=0.043). Conclusion This study suggested that the expressions of P16 and P27kip1 protein may have important roles in the occurrence and development of human brain glioma. The altered expressions of P16 and P27kip1 proteins may interact with each other and add to malignancy of brain glioma.