PlexinA1 expression in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with tumor angiogenesis and proliferation.

Aim: To explore the expression of PlexinA1 in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with tumor angiogenesis and proliferation.

Methods: PlexinA1 mRNA and protein expressions of Semaphorin6D were measured using semi-quantity reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting in 20 cases of gastric carcinoma and corresponding normal gastric mucosa. PlexinA1, Ki-67 expression and microvessel density (MVD) were detected by immunohistochemistry in 50 cases of gastric carcinoma and 20 cases of normal gastric mucosa.

Results: The mRNA and protein expressions of PlexinA1 in gastric carcinoma were significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa (0.71 +/- 0.37 vs 0.60 +/- 0.25, P = 0.0299 < 0.05, and 0.47 +/- 0.16 vs 0.21 +/- 0.08, P = 0.0000 < 0.01), and MVD within tumor tissues increased significantly with PlexinA1 mRNA expression (r =0.8736, P < 0.01) and PlexinA1 protein expression (r = 0.7286, P < 0.01), and MVD of the PlexinA1 positive staining group (25.25 +/- 3.93) was significantly higher than that of the negative group (19.56 +/- 1.75), (P < 0.01). Proliferation index of tumor cells within tumor tissues were positively correlated with PlexinA1 mRNA expression (r = 0.5420, P = 0.014 < 0.01) and PlexinA1 protein expression (r = 0.5024, P = 0.024 < 0.05). The proliferation index of the PlexinA1 positive staining group (567.69 +/- 125.61) was significantly higher than that of the negative group (369.58 +/- 116.88), (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: PlexinA1 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric carcinoma, and be related to tumor angiogenesis and proliferation.