Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is an unique intracellular serine/threonine kinase and adapter protein.
When dysregulated, it has been associated with increased cell proliferation, anchorage-independent cell growth, evasion of apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion of surrounding tissues, downregulation of E-cadherin expression, nuclear translocation of β-catenin and metastasis, all features of tumoral malignancy. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the expression of ILK in clear cell renal carcinomas (CCRC) as a possible prognostic indicator. ILK immunoexpression was evaluated in a tissue microarray (TMA) with 45 human CCRCs. In addition, the apoptotic and proliferative indices and the immuno-expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin were also evaluated. E-cadherin expression was significantly decreased in tumors with positive ILK expression in relation to those with negative immunoexpression (p = 0.011). ILK immunostaining was significantly increased in high-grade in comparison to low-grade CCRCs (p = 0.0008). ILK expression was also associated with increased proliferative index (p = 0.020), tumor size >7.0 cm (p = 0.018) and with renal vein and capsule invasion (p = 0.003 and p = 0.00). Finally, tumors stage I and II (noninvasive) presented significantly reduced ILK immunoexpression when compared to stage III (locally invasive) (p = 0.0028). ILK immunoexpression in CCRC increases with loss of intercellular adhesion, nuclear grading, increased proliferative index and Robson stage. Altogether, our data suggest a possible role for ILK in the progression of CRCC.
Written by:
Engelman MD, Grande RM, Naves MA, de Franco MF, de Paulo Castro Teixeira V. Are you the author?
Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde Dr José Antonio Garcia Coutinho, Universidade do Vale do Sapucai, Avenida Alfredo Custódio de Paula 360, CEP 37550000, Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Reference: Pathol Oncol Res. 2012 Jul 20. Epub ahead of print.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22814720
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