Correlation of the expression of uPA and PAI-1 with angiogenesis in human gastric cancer

Purpose To investigate the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen(uPA),its inhibitor-1(PAI-1) mRNA and protein in human gastric cancer and its relationship to tumor differentiation,angiogenesis,and clinical pathologic factors.Methods In situ hybridization(ISH) for uPA and PAI-1 mRNA was performed in 110 cases of human gastric cancer prepared within 2 blocks of tissue microarray(TMA).Immunohistochemical staining(S-P method) for uPA and PAI-1 protein and CD34 was performed in 110 cases of human gastric cancer.Results uPA,PAI-1 mRNA and protein were located in the cytoplasm of gastric cancer cells;they were all correlated with the histologic differentiation.The MVD in uPA positive group was significantly higher than those in negative group(P0.05);uPA positive expression and MVD had a positive correlation with the clinical stages(P0.05).The expression of PAI-1 had no correlation with the clinical stages and lymph node metastasis.Conclusions uPA is significantly correlated with angiogenesis,invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer;PAI-1 may be an inhibitor factor involved in the growth and invasion of gastric cancer.