The expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL)protein and it's receptor 3,4 in colorectal cancer tissue and its significance

Abstract

Objective To investigate the potential roles of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL)signaling system in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Methods Immunohistochemistry techniques were used,the TRAIL and its receptor(TRAILR3,TRAILR4)protein were analyzed in both 41 colorectal cancer samples(colorectal cancer group)and normal samples beside cancer tissue(normal group). Results The levels of TRAIL and TRAILR3 protein expression in the colorectal cancer group were significantly lower than those in the normal group[(0.237±0.036)vs.(0.289±0.069);(0.226±0.052)vs.(0.281±0.068),t=4.125,4.025,all P 0.05).The expression levels of them in the colorectal cancer group with poorl differentiation were notably lower than those with high-moderate differentiation[(0.205±0.021)vs(0.245±0.034);(0.185±0.032)vs(0.236±0.051),t=4.025,2.664,P 0.05]. Moreover, the positive rate and expression levels of TRAILR4 protein was non-statistic significant difference between the two groups[93%vs 98%;(0.196±0.085)vs(0.219±0.061),χ2=1.051,t=1.353,all P>0.05],and it was also non-significantly correlated with cancer cell differentiation and lymph nodes metastasis[(0.176±0.052)vs(0.201± 0.091);(0.194±0.054)vs(0.197±0.100),t=0.667,0.448,all P>0.05]. Conclusion The levels of TRAIL and TRAILR3 expression are attenuated at colorectal cancer tissue. The expression of them are correlated with cancer cell differentiation grade. These findings indicate that TRAIL system may be associated with the malignant phenotype in colorectal cancer. Key words: Colorectal Neoplasms; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Signal Transduction