Expression of Notch family members in astrocytomas and medulloblastomas

Abstract

Objective To detect the differential expression of Notch family members in human astrocytomas and medulloblastomas and to evaluate the role of Notch 1,2,3,4 in the development of both tumor types.MethodImmunohistochemical staining SP method and Western blot analysis were used to detect Notch 1,2,3,4 expression in tissue arrays and freshly resected samples of normal brain tissues,astrocytomas and medulloblastomas respectively.ResultsThere was no expression of Notch family members in normal brain tissues.Notch 1,3 and 4 were highly expressed but Notch 2 was not expressed in astrocytomas.The percentage of positive tumor cells and expression level of Notchl were increased just as the increase of tumor grade.On the other hand,overexpression of Notch 2 was detected in medulloblastoma in contrast with low or no expression of Notch 1,3,4.Conclusions Different expressions of Notch 1,2,3,4were found in astrocytomas and medulloblastomas.This may be related to their different functional activities during the process of brain development. Key words: Notch family numbers; Astrecytoma; Medulloblastoma