Beta IGH3, a TGF-beta inducible gene, is overexpressed in lung cancer.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is capable of affecting the proliferation of many cell types. beta IGH3, TGF-beta inducible gene, was originally isolated from lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549). We have hypothesized that beta IGH3 mRNA levels could be predictors of the development and invasion of lung cancer. The study included 71 lung cancer cases. The beta IGH3 mRNA levels were quantified by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using LightCycler. The beta IGH3 mRNA levels were elevated in tumor tissues from lung cancer (1.058 +/- 1.212) compared with non-malignant lung tissues (0.304 +/- 0.159) (p = 0.0001). No significant difference in beta IGH3 mRNA levels was found among gender, age, pathological subtype and lymph node metastasis. The beta IGH3 mRNA levels were elevated in tumor tissues from T4 lung cancer (1.425 +/- 1.470) compared with those from T1 lung cancer (0.702 +/- 0.655) (p = 0.05) and T2 lung cancer (0.736 +/- 0.734) (p = 0.044). Using the LightCycler RT-PCR assay, the determination of beta IGH3 mRNA level might provide a potential marker for the aggressiveness of lung cancer. However, further studies and a longer follow-up are needed to confirm the impact of beta IGH3 on the biological behavior of the tumor.