Expression of pituitary tumor transforming gene(PTTG) protein and relations to cell proliferation invasion in pituitary adenomas

Objective To investigate the role of pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) protein on tumor invasiveness and cell proliferation in human pituitary adenomas. Methods Immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the expression of pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) protein in 63 cases of surgical removed and paraffin-embedded pituitary adenomas (45 cases of invasive, 18 cases of non-invasive tumors). A polyclonal antibody against human Factor Ⅷ related antigen were used to identify microvascular density(MVD) and a monoclonal antibody against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was used as a marker for proliferating. Results PTTG protein increased significantly in invasive pituitary adenomas group than in non-invasive group. PCNA labelling index and MVD in invasive group were also significantly higher than non-invasive group. The expression of PTTG protein was positively correlated to PCNA labelling index and MVD. Conclusions PTTG may play important roles in early pituitary tumoregenesis and correlate with its invasiveness and cell proliferation.