Clinical significance of HBME-1, Galectin-3, and CK19 expression and the status of BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to explore the clinical significance of the expression of proteins human bone marrow endothelial cell markers (HBME-1), Galectin-3, and cytokeratin19 (CK19), as well as the status of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 82 specimens each of PTC and papillary benign lesions to detect the expression of HBME-1, Galectin-3, and CK19. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing were performed on 60 specimens each of PTC and papillary benign lesions to detect the status of BRAF mutation. Results The positive expression ratios of HBME-1, Galectin-3, and CK19 in PTC were 98.8%, 97.6% and 100% respectively, which were significantly higher than the expressions in papillary benign lesions (P < 0.05). No significant relationship was observed between the expression of these makers and the clinicopathological features of PTC. The sensitivity of co-expression of HBME-1 and CK19 or HBME-1 and Galectin-3 as diagnostic criteria of PTC was 99.9%, with a specificity of 95.4%. BRAF mutation was detected in 40 of 60 PTC (66.7%) specimens. There was a statistical difference in BRAF mutations between PTC and papillary benign lesions (P < 0.05); there were no associations between BRAF mutation and the clinicopathological features of PTC. Conclusion Combined immunohistochemical staining of HBME-1, Galectin-3, and CK19 can further improve the sensitivity and specificity of differential diagnosis of PTC. BRAF mutation is a significant genetic event, which may have diagnostic value for PTC.