Objective: To investigate the expression of Plexin A1 in gastric cancer(GC) and its relationship with angiogenesis and proliferation of GC.
Methods: Plexin A1 mRNA expression in 20 cases of GC specimens and matched resected normal gastric tissue were examined by RT-PCR. Plexin A1, Ki-67, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) protein expression and microvessel density (MVD) in 50 cases of GC specimens and 20 cases of normal gastric mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry.
Results: RT-PCR showed that the expression of Plexin A1 in GC was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa(0.71 +/- 0.37 vs 0.60 +/- 0.25, P < 0.05). MVD within tumor tissue increased significantly with Plexin A1 mRNA expression(r=0.8736, P < 0.01) and Plexin A1 protein expression (P < 0.01). The Plexin A1 expression was positively correlated with the proliferation index (Ki-67) of cancer cells (r=0.4851, P < 0.01). However, the Plexin A1 expression level had no relationship with the VEGF expression level.
Conclusion: Plexin A1 plays an important role in the occurrence and development of GC. Plexin A1 may regulate angiogenesis, and promote the proliferation of GC cells.