Expression and localization of midkine in pancreatic carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and localization of midkine (MK) in human pancreatic carcinoma (PC). Methods The expression and localization of MK were determined in 52 cases of human PC, 12 cases of chronic pancreatitis and 6 normal pancreatic controls by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochernistry. Results Human PC overexpressed MK at the mRNA and protein levels. The positive expression of MK mRNA and protein was detected in 37 cases (71.2% ) and in 38 cases (73. 1 % ), respectively, and the positive products were mainly localized in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. The positive rate of MK was significantly lower in cases without metastasis and at early clinical stage (stage Ⅰ - Ⅱ ) than that of metastasis and at late clinical stage (stage Ⅲ Ⅳ ). Overexpression of MK was seen in endothelial cells, and there was no expression of MK in chronic pancreatitis and normal pancreatic controls. Conclusion Human PC overexpresses MK at the mRNA and protein levels. The Overexpression of the MK protein might be correlated with the angiogenesis and metastasis of PC. MK might be used as a marker for PC.