Expression of PPARγ,p-ERK,cyclin D1 and Ki-67 proteins and their implication in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Purpose To investigate the relationship and significance of PPARγ,p-ERK,cyclin D1,and Ki-67 proteins expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells(NPC).Methods Immunohistochemical SP method was adopted to detect the expression of PPARγ,p-ERK,cyclin D1 and Ki-67 proteins in 36 cases of NPC and 42 chronic nasopharyngeal mucosal inflammation.Results Positive staining rates of PPARγ,p-ERK,cyclin D1,and Ki-67 proteins in 36 cases NPC were 83.33%(30/36),69.44%(25/36),80.56%(29/36),and 80.56%(29/36),respectively.Positive staining rates of the four proteins in 42 cases of nasopharyngeal mucosal inflammation were 42.86%(18/42),23.80%(10/42),19.05%(8/42),and 9.50%(4/42),respectively.The expression of PPARγ,p-ERK,cyclin D1,and Ki-67 proteins between the two groups had statistically significant differences(P0.01).There were positive correlations between p-ERK and PPARγ,cyclin D1,and Ki-67 proteins expression in NPC(r=0.337,P0.05,r=0.604,P0.01,r=0.668,P0.01).There were no correlations between PPARγ and cyclin D1,and Ki-67 proteins expression in NPC(r=0.328,P0.05;r=0.277,P0.05).Conclusions Over expression of PPARγ,p-ERK,cyclin D1 and Ki-67 proteins exists in NPC.PPARγ may be regulated in a positive feedback manner with abnormally activated p-ERK in NPC cells.That p-ERK promots NPC cell proliferation may be through up-regulating cyclin D1 and Ki-67 proteins expression.