Expression of Cx43 in human lung adenocarcinoma and its significance

Objective To investigate the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) protein and mRNA in human adenocarcinoma of lung and its clinical significance.Methods One hundred and forty-eight human adenocarcinoma of lung tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry for Cx43 expression and fluorescence in situ hybridization for mRNA.The relationship between Cx43 expression and clinicopathologcal factors was analyzed.Results The positive rates of Cx43 expression in well/moderately differentiated and poorlydifferemiated/indififerentiated lung cancer tissues were 48.7 ％ (38/78) and 30.0 ％ (21/70),respectively (P ＜ 0.05).The positive rates of Cx43 expression in negative lymph node metastasis and positive lymphnode metastasis lung cancer tissues were 56.3 ％ (18/32) and 34.5 ％ (40/116),respectively (P ＜ 0.05).The positive rates of Cx43 expression in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ and Ⅲ-Ⅳ lung cancer tissues were 51.5 ％ (49/95) and 34.0 ％(18/53),respectively (P ＜ 0.05).The positive rates of Cx43 mRNA expression in adenocarcinoma of lung adenocarcinoma and normal lung tissues were 32.4 ％ (48/148) and 60.0 ％ (12/20) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The expression of Cx43 is closely related with well differentiation,invasion,status of lymphnode,clinical stage and prognosis of human lung adenocarcinoma.It may participate in the development and progression of human lung adenocarcinoma,and may be used to predict the prognosis of human lung adenocarcinoma. Key words: Lung neoplasms;  Connexin43;  Immunohistochemisty;  Fluorescence in situ hybridization