Expression of metastasis associated genes nm23, p53 and S100A4 in conjunctival melanoma and their relationship with invasion and metastasis

Objective

To study the significance of metastasis associated genes nm23, p53 and S100A4 in the development of conjunctival melanoma metastasis.

Methods

Conjunctival melanoma tissue specimens were collected from 42 cases of conjunctival melanoma patients in Henan Eye Hospital from July 2015 to November 2016, meanwhile 30 cases of conjunctival nevus tissue samples served as control group under the informed consent.The expressions of nm23, p53 and S100A4 were detected in conjunctival melanoma group and control group by Western blot and immunohistochemical method.The relationship between the clinical and pathological features of nm23, p53 and S100A4 with conjunctival melanoma patients with lymph nodes metastasis were analyzed.

Results

Western blot assay showed that the expression level of nm23 in conjunctival melanoma group was lower than that in the control group , with a significant difference between them (P<0.05); the expression level of p53 and S100A4 in conjunctival melanoma group was significantly higher than those in the control group (both at P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that nm23 and S100A4 appeared claybank in cytoplasm, while p53 appeared red in cell nucleus.The positive rate of nm23 protein expression in conjunctival melanoma group was significantly lower than that in the control group (14.3% vs. 53.3%, P<0.05). The positive rate of p53 expression in conjunctival melanoma group was significantly higher than that in the control group (54.8% vs.6.7%, P<0.05). The positive rate of S100A4 expression in the conjunctival melanoma group was significantly higher than that in the control group (59.5% vs.6.7%, P<0.05). There were no difference in nm23, p53 and S100A4 protein expression positive rate between various gender groups, various age groups and various ulcer groups (all at P>0.05). There were siginificant differences in nm23, p53 and S100A4 protein expression positive rate between various sclera invasion groups and various distant metastasis groups (all at P<0.05).

Conclusions

Expression of nm23, p53 and S100A4 may play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of conjunctival melanoma, which may be the main reference index for the diagnosis and treatment.