Correlation of bcl-2 and bax with apoptosis in human pituitary adenomas

Bcl-2 oncogene and Bax gene play an important role in regulating apoptosis. In the present study, the expression of bcl-2 and bax was investigated and correlated with apoptosis in a series of 81 pituitary adenomas. Bcl-2 and bax proteins were localized by immunohistochemistry and the histoscore (HSC...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pituitary 2003, Vol.6 (3), p.127-133
Main Authors: Sambaziotis, Demetrios, Kapranos, Nikiforos, Kontogeorgos, George
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenoma - metabolism
Adenoma - pathology
Adenoma - physiopathology
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Apoptosis
bcl-2-Associated X Protein
Female
Humans
Immunohistochemistry - methods
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Middle Aged
Pituitary Neoplasms - metabolism
Pituitary Neoplasms - pathology
Pituitary Neoplasms - physiopathology
Proto-Oncogene Proteins - metabolism
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism
Staining and Labeling
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Summary:Bcl-2 oncogene and Bax gene play an important role in regulating apoptosis. In the present study, the expression of bcl-2 and bax was investigated and correlated with apoptosis in a series of 81 pituitary adenomas. Bcl-2 and bax proteins were localized by immunohistochemistry and the histoscore (HSC) was assessed by multiplying the immunohistostaining grade (1 to 4) by the staining intensity grade (1 to 3). According to bcl-2/bax HSC the tumors were separated in group A when > or = 1 and group B when < 1. The apoptotic labeling index (ALI) was accessed by the in situ end-labeling (ISEL) technique. Bcl-2 protein was equally detected in functioning and nonfunctioning adenomas with statistically significant higher HSC in nonfunctioning tumors (P < 0.03). Bax protein was immunopositive in the substantial majority of adenomas with significantly higher HSC in functioning as compared to nonfunctioning adenomas (P < 0.0009). The ALI was significantly higher in functioning adenomas as compared to nonfunctioning adenomas (P < 0.04). In addition, ALI was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.004) and it was correlated with bax HSC (P < 0.004). Finally, the group B of bcl-2/bax significantly predominated in nonfunctioning tumors (P < 0.0009) and in microadenomas (P = 0.05), as compared with functioning adenomas and macroadenomas respectively. In conclusion, our findings suggest that bcl-2 and bax molecules play a role in the regulation of apoptotic mechanisms in pituitary adenomas.
ISSN:1386-341X
1573-7403
DOI:10.1023/B:PITU.0000011173.04191.37