The Study Of The Activated Pancreatic Stellate Cells On The Invasion And Metastasis In Pancreatic Carcinoma

Objectives:We investigate the expression of a-SMA (mark of the activated PSCs) and PDGF, AM in pancreatic carcinoma and to approach the role of activation of PSC and PDGF, AM in the invasion and metastasis in pancreatic carcinoma and the relationship between them. To analyze the role of PSCs in the occurrence, development, metastasis and prognosis of the pancreatic carcinoma.Methods:1) 43 pancreatic carcinoma samples as the testing group and 36 para-cancer normal pancreatic tissues of control group were bioptically collected from patients in the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Department of General Surgery from 2004 to 2010 between the surgical resection of pancreatic tumors and metastatic lymphnode metastases.2) The expressions of a-SMA, PDGF and AM were examined in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded samples by SABC immunohistoehemieal method. The Mierovessel density was determined by immunostaining for factor CD34 related antigen.The relationship between the three items and clinical characters were analysed, including the size of tumor, pathological grades,distant metastasis and lymphatic metastasis.Results:1.The expression of a-SMA, PDGF and AM in the 43 pancreatic cancer samples were higher than in 36 para-cancer normal group.There were statistical differences between them (P<0.01)2.There were closely positive correlations between the a-SMA and PDGF,AM in these tissues (r=0.629, P<0.001;r=0.472,P<0.001), but no correlation was found between the expression of the PDGF and AM (r=0.193,P=0.216)3.Significant correlations were found between PDGF-B, AM expression and MVD (r=0.462, P=0.02;r=0.440,P=0.003), and may have been closely related to the occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis of the pancreatic carcinoma.Conclusions:1.The activation of PSCs may play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of the pancreatic carcinoma. The activation of PSCs led to the promotion of the expression of PDGF and AM, thus PSC contributed to the enhancement of the invasion and metastasis of the pancreatic carcinoma indirectly.2.PDGF and AM are the important growth factors for the pancreatic cancer cells. The expression of PDGF and AM in the pancreatic cancer samples were higher in comparison to the para-cancer normal group.They not only had close correlations with the invasion and metastasis of the pancreatic carcinoma,but also correlated with the microvessel density.3.There were significant activated PSCs in the pancreatic carcinoma tissues. Pancreatic carcinoma may have induced the activation of PSCs. There were closely positive correlations between the a-SMA and PDGF, AM in the pancreatic carcinoma tissue.The PSCs enhanced the invasion and metastasis of the pancreatic carcinoma by promoting of the expression of PDGF and AM.